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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 
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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



EXTRACTS 



THE JOURNALS 



^iss §|f. g.S Remington, 




MISSIONARY OF THE 



WELCOME HALL MISSION 



NEW HAVEN, CONN. 



PRICK SO CENTS. 



Copyright i8q2 by Miss M. E. Remington, New Haven, Com. 



Tit. Li*R *Y 

JoNr,K8S8 
WASHINGTON 






PREFACE. 

IN the Autumn of 1887, a mission school was started by Mr. H. J. 
Prudden, then Superintendent of the Church of the Redeemer Sun- 
day School, in a part of New Haven where there were a large number 
of children not enrolled in either Roman Catholic, Jewish or Protestant 
Sunday schools. He was cordially aided by the young people of the 
church school, and when, in the following Spring, it became necessary 
to move, he made the proposition that the church assume the expense of 
a mission enterprise which should provide a place where various other 
meetings beside the Sunday school could be held. The idea was to estab- 
lish a center of elevating influence in that community, educational, 
moral and religious. The Mission school had opened the way for work 
among a different class of people from those reached by any existing 
city missionary enterprise. While the elements with which it had dealt 
were turbulent and apparently unpromising, there was, in Mr. Prudde#'s 
mind, on the one hand an evident need, and on the other a body of Chris- 
tian people who would themselves be strengthened if their efforts could 
meet that need. 

The church was liberal in its response to the suggestion, and in May, 
1888, a room was opened in Oak street under the name " Welcome Hall.'' 
A general plan for some kind of meeting every evening in the week was 
gradually established, and this plan has, mainly, been followed ever since. 
Some evenings have been for purely religious meetings, others for lec- 
tures, entertainments, or instructive talks ; some have been especially 
for girls, others for boys only, and at least three have been general. The 
Hail has been supplied with games and papers, and the last hour each 
evening they have been used by those who chose or were allowed to stay. 

In June, 1888, Miss Mary E. Remington began her work as visitor 
among the families represented in the Sunday School. This work has 
reached out in so many helpful lines that to her untiring efforts the en- 
terprise largely owes its success. There has been efficient help from 
gentlemen in the Theological School, and continued support and faithful 
service from the church, many of whose members have gladly assisted 
in carrying out every plan that has been undertaken. Those who 



watched its development, became so assured of the value of this work 
that a suitable building has now been erected to meet its growing needs. 
This new " Welcome Hall," which was built and entirely paid for by 
voluntary contributions, was opened December 30, 1891. It affords 
accommodation for the various clubs that have been organized, a well- 
lighted and commodious audience room, a reading room, library, laun- 
dry, and bathroom, as well as a place of residence for Miss Remington. 

At the time when the church committee in charge of the work asked 
for subscriptions to this building, Miss Remington's permission was 
secured for the printing of some extracts from her journals for distribu- 
tion in the church. So much interest in these extracts was shown by 
those outside as well as within the church that another and larger 
edition has been prepared. The selections from the first two years are 
naturally fuller, because they show the methods employed and later 
ones show in addition to some of the results of the earlier work a repeti- 
tion of the same methods with success. 

It is hoped that the glimpses these journals give of what self-deny- 
ing, consecrated service will accomplish in a difficult field of labor, will 
prove an encouragement and stimulus to the wider circle of readers 
which they will reach. 

COMMITTEE OF THE WELCOME HALL MISSION. 



EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL 



OF 



MISS MARY E. REMINGTON 

Missionary of the Welcome Hall Mission. 
New Haven, Conn.. 



1888. 

Saturday, June 22. 

I came to New Haven to-day about five o'clock. After 
supper Mr. Prudden came for me to go to the mission. There 
were about four hundred in the room, and when we tried to 
sing anything they would all try to sing or hollo something 
else. The first hymn Mr. Sheldon selected was, " What a 
friend we have in Jesus," and some yelled " shoo fly," some 
" Yankee doodle," and oh, such a confusion ! Mr. Sheldon 
asked me if I would not try to quiet them by talking a little 
to them, so I tried it, but it was very hard work, for some of 
them were burning the inside out of the singing books they 
had, others throwing up their hats and yelling, etc. It was 
a perfect bedlam. As I stopped an instant to catch breath 
(for I had been talking as fast and loud as I could), one large 
boy about eighteen yelled out, " Let's give her three cheers," 
and then how they did yell. Well, the hour passed at last, 
and Mr. S. asked all the women and girls to stay a few min- 
utes and get acquainted with me, so a good many stayed. I 
took the names and the street and number of as many 
as stayed. 

Mr. Prudden went up to the house with me as I did not 
know the way. He wanted to know if I thought we should 
ever be able to do anything with such a crowd, and I told him 
of course we should, for it was the Lord's work, and He would 
certainly give us the wisdom and strength to do it. 



Sunday, June 23. 

Went to the hall at 3 P. M. for Sunday School to-day. Mr. 
Prudden came to me and said, " Do you see those boys over 
by the window there ? Well, they act so that no teacher will 
take them the second time. Now, I had intended to send 
them out the first thing to-day, but from what you said last 
night I know you do not approve of sending them out. 
Now, will you take the class to-day ?" " Yes, I will take it," 
said I. As I started over towards them, one boy yelled out, 
" Golly, ain't she pooty, I'd like to kiss her." " Let's do it," 
yelled another. I did not pretend to hear them at all, but one 
boy yelled, " See her blush !" My only comfort was that the 
rest were all making so much noise that I knew each teacher 
had all she could attend to without watching me. I never had 
quite so tough an hour as that was. I asked one boy his name 
and he said he was Buffalo Bill's brother. Another never had 
any name. I asked them about their fathers and mothers, 
and one boy said he " never had neither ;" he was hatched 
out of an ostrich's egg by a mud turtle. One offered me a 
chew of tobacco, and was surprised enough when I took it 
and put it in my pocket. It was a whole plug of tobacco that 
he held out, and I thought I might keep him quiet if I had 
his tobacco, and it did help, for he wanted it, and I told him 
I should not give it to him unless he behaved, so I got the 
best of him in that. Well, it is useless to try to describe that 
hour, but at last I did succeed in getting them interested in 
the story of Daniel. As the lesson was a temperance lesson, 
I told them the story of Daniel as fast as I could talk so they 
could not get a chance to get a word in edgeways. As I got 
through, one boy said, " Do you believe that lie ?" Another 
wanted to know if I ever saw Daniel or any of those other 
chaps that put him into the lions' den; as I said no, he wanted 
to know how I knew anything about it then. I asked him if 
he went to school and he said " Yes ;" then I asked him if he 
ever heard of Christopher Columbus, and he said '"Yes." "What 
did he do ?" said I. " Found America," said he. " Did you 
ever see him or any of the men who came with him ?" said I. 
" No," said he. " Well, then, how do you know that he ever 



found America ?" " Why, history says so," said he. "Yes! 
Well, that is just the way I know about Daniel," said I. He 
could say no more, I had the best of him. After Sunday 
School, Mr. Prudden came around and congratulated me on 
my success with the boys. I didn't say anything, but I won- 
dered what they had done if he thought they did well to-day. 

Monday, June 24. 

Pleasant. Got up at half-past five and studied a while, 
then wrote a letter home. Had breakfast at seven and started 
for Oak street. The minute I turned the corner, some chil- 
dren saw me and rushed for me, yelling " Here she is, here 
she is," and in about two minutes I had fifty boys and girls 
around me of all ages, and all yelling. Well, I picked out 
one little girl and told her I would go home with her and see 
her mother, so taking her hand went on pretending not to 
notice anything about the rest. As I opened the door, the 
woman sprang towards me with a pitcher of hot water in her 
hand, and said she would scald me if I did not get out of 
her house, "and take them nasty brats with me." Her little 
baby was across the floor playing and I said, " What a dear 
little baby you have got. Come here, little darling, and I'll 
give you some candy," and the baby started for me as soon 
as it saw the candy and I forgot all about the pitcher of hot 
water and stooped right down under it and picked up the 
poor little dirty thing and gave it the candy, and loved it, and 
in a very short time the pitcher of hot water was nowhere to 
be seen, and she gave me an old box to sit on. The baby 
hugged me and kissed me with its dirty little face, but I did 
not think anything about the dirt then, I was so anxious to 
win that mother. As I went out promising to bring the 
baby some more candy the next day, she said, " Come again 
some day," so I found I had gained entrance to one home. 
At the next place the woman met me with a rolling pin and 
said she would smash my head if I came over her sill. Just 
that minute there was a scream, and I saw a kettle, or pail 
rather, of hot water that the baby was pulling over on to her. 
I rushed in and caught the pail just in season to save the 
baby from being very badly burned. Just one finger was 



blistered. When the mother saw it she fainted away, and I 
wet her head and brought her to and did up the baby's ringer, 
and by that time we were pretty good friends. These were 
two places I was sure of. * * * * ' * * * 

Thursday, June 28. 

It has rained very hard all day to-day so have not made as 
many new calls. Have been just to the door of fifty of my 
old places. At one of the new places that I did go, found the 
family — consisting of a mother and seven children — eating 
dinner of just meal and water, not even any salt in it. I 
asked the mother why she did not cook it, and she looked 
surprised and said, " Cook it ? how would you do it ? " I told 
her if she would get me a kettle I would show her. She 
looked more surprised than ever and said, " What do you 
mean ? " Why, I told her I wanted something to cook it in, 
and she said she had nothing. Well, I went to searching but, 
could find nothing to cook the meal in. 1 took the old dirty 
dish they were all putting their fingers in to get the meal and 
water, and fixed up a little fire and showed her how to make 
some hasty pudding, and salted it up good, and it was such 
fun to see the children eat it. Then I went out to a little 
store near and bought her a little spider and showed her how 
she could fry it when it was cold. She was so thankful to 
me for showing her how to do it, she hugged and kissed me 
till it seemed as if I should drop, for it was very hot and she 
was so dirty. Made only eight new calls to-day. Went to 
meeting to-night as usual and it was pretty noisy again, for 
one of the fellows brought in a mud-turtle and put it on the 
floor, so that brought forth one of those terrible yells from the 
crowd. Came home about ten. 

Monday, July 2. 

Pleasant. Went out about seven so as to go and see that little 
girl early, as I promised. Found her very sick and lying on 
a bare table, just covered with flies. She was so sick she 
could not speak, but would look up and smile at me. I kept 
the flies off of her for a little while and then asked her mother 

8 



why she did not put her to bed ? " Bed," said she, " I aint 
got such a thing." " What do you all sleep on?" said I. 
" Come here and I'll show you," said she, and she opened the 
door into a dirty little room where there was some dirty 
broken straw on the floor and pointing to it said, " There is 
where we sleep." Well, I have seen our pig pen look better 
than that room did, and I know I should rather sleep in our 
pig pen. But I said, "Well that would be softer than that table." 
So I took an old stub of a broom that lay there and swept 
the dirt up in one corner and took some old ragged cloths and 
and put them on the dirt, then picked up the little sick child 
and laid her down on it. " Guess she is going to die fast 
enough, don't you ? " said the mother, and I tried to hush 
her up for she was so rough and did not seem to care one 
thing for the little child. After washing the child's hands 
and face and telling them some things to do for her I left 
promising to come up again in the morning to see her. The 
father was drunk in the corner and the mother was not much 
better. Went from there and made several more calls before 
dinner. At one place found the mother about sick and several 
children around crying for bread and she had none. Her 
husband was in jail and she was trying to keep " starve to 
death " off by washing. When I went in she had just knocked 
one child down and was on the point of knocking another. I 
told her if she would go into the bedroom and lie down with 
the baby I would keep the children still and wring out her 
clothes for her and hang them out. She had a large washing 
done. At first she was not going to do it, but she was so 
near sick that I soon succeeded in getting her off. I then 
sent the little boy out to get a five cent loaf of bread and soon 
had the children all happy. It was not a long job to get her 
clothes rinsed and on the line, so then I left the children 
after getting them to promise they would stay out of doors 
and not wake her, promising to come again soon. 

Tuesday, July 3. 

Made eighteen calls to-day. Went first to see that little 
sick girl, but she had died in the night and had been put back 



on the table as dirty as ever. Went to see Mr. Preston, 
Superintendent of Organized Charities, about having the child 
buried, and then went back and made her look as respectable 
as possible. Had a long talk with the father and mother and 
they have made up their minds to live respectable lives. They 
wanted me to pray for them and I did, and really, I believe 
they mean to do differently. 

Friday, July 6. 

Got to the hall and found the keyhole all puttied up solid- 
I had my penknife, and by using a good deal of patience, suc- 
ceeded in getting it out so I could go in. I forgot some- 
thing and had to go back to the hall in a few minutes and 
found it filled again, but it was not dry and I got it out easily. 
Have cleared out that putty eleven times to-day, and think 
whoever puts it in will give it up soon. Have been trying to 
get some of the women out to mothers' meeting, and set this 
afternoon from three to four, but nobody came. They will 
come by and by; I feel sure of it. Three promised to-day, 
but probably did not have the courage to let the others see 
them come. We had a large, noisy crowd to night. There 
was no serious trouble, but about fifteen of the young men 
brought in toads and let them go on the floor. I picked up 
eight of them and carried them out and some of the smaller 
boys helped me about it. We were not sure who brought 
them in. I heard one fellow say : " If we should bring in a 
snake I believe she would pick it up and carry it out." Per- 
haps it will be snakes next. 

Sunday, July 22. 

Pleasant. Went to church to-day, and went out early to 
gather in all the children I could for Sunday School. Had 
about 150 with me, when I came to the house of one whom I 
have done quite a good deal for since I have been here, and 
who, I thought, was trying to do a little better, I saw crape on 
the door. Was quite a little surprised, for was in there almost 
the last thing yesterday afternoon. So told the children to 
keep very quiet and not come in with me but to wait there 

10 



till I came. Went in and met the woman in the entry, and 
asked her who was dead. She began to get off something 
about the woman up stairs, so I at once started up stairs. 
Then she saw she was going to get into trouble, so she began 
to cry and say she had to get something to eat in some way, 
etc. Well, to make a long story short, she had got in a lot of 
beer, and was selling it out all day; and the police, thinking 
the men and women who went were going out and in to see 
the corpse, of course did not trouble them. I told her that 
she must not sell another glass of that beer. She begged me 
to let her sell just what she had on hand and she would never 
do so again. But I told her the only thing that would keep 
me quiet was to have her empty every keg which she had not 
sold down the sink, and I stayed there till it was done. 

Friday, August io. 

I made eighteen calls this forenoon and had my mother's 
meeting this afternoon. Did not have any dinner. Just 
about noon I went into one place where the woman had 
promised to come this afternoon, and found she had just be- 
gun a large washing, and one of the children was nearly sick, 
so she could not hurry much. I saw through the trick in a 
minute. She did not intend to go. I said I was very sorry 
for her and would help her, so I went into another house near 
by, and borrowed a tub, and by half-past one her clothes 
were all on the line; she had no excuse now, so she got ready 
very slowly and went with me. I had cloth for a sheet and 
showed her how to baste it and she made the sheet. At four 
o'clock, we stopped and I read a few passages from the Bible 
and prayed with her and then she went home, so now I have 
one mother, I feel sure I can get another soon. 

Monday, August 13. 

I went up to call on some children who had given me their 
names this morning. As soon as I struck the street one boy 
saw me and ran the whole length of the street yelling, "Ram- 
shackle, the King of the Jews, is coming." In about two min- 
utes there were forty or fifty around me all yelling " Ram- 

n 



shackle" or "Ramrod" or "Ramrack" and throwing little sticks 
and stones and dirt in my face. I went for my candy and got 
rid of about twenty of them, but the rest cared more for the 
fun of following me and yelling at me than they did for the 
candy. The first place I went into on that street there were 
two women and a man having a fight, and one of the women 

yelled out, " Get out of here you or you will get 

your head smashed." The man had a black eye and one of 
the women had a large gash in her hand where she had fallen 
through the window. Her hand was bleeding badly, so I 
stepped up to her, and taking it in mine, wrapped my hand- 
kerchief around it to stop its bleeding. The other woman 
looked astonished and said, " I should have thought you would 
have gone for the police instead of coming in to help us." 
After I had fixed her hand I worked over the man for a few 
minutes and then left, promising to come again. The minute 
the boys saw me they were ready, as they had had time to fill 
their hats and pockets, but the man I had been helping, hear- 
ing the shout, came to the door to see what was up, and, 
taking in the situation at a glance, he sprang among those 
boys and I did not know but he was going to knock every 
one of them down. They took to their heels and I was left 
in peace for a few minutes. 

Going to the next place, a woman looked at me an instant 
and then said : " Are you that Jesus woman ? If you are, 
don't you dare come in here." " Why, what do you mean ?" 
said I. " I am only a woman just as you are, only I have no 
family and I love the children dearly, and want to do all in 
my power for them. You have some dear little children; 
where is Sarah ?" " Sarah !" shouted the mother, and Sarah 
appeared. She had run to hide when she saw me for she was 
afraid to have her mother know I knew her. I gave her some 
candy and asked where her little brother was and left him 
some candy, and I left promising to come again, when she 
had said " come again." I never leave a place till I manage 
in some way to make them ask me to come again. 



12 



Tuesday, August 14 

I got up about four o'clock this morning and wrote off a 
lot of passages for the children to learn. The parents will 
not let them have the Bible, but anything I write off they do 
not object to their learning. It is a great deal of work, but I 
do not mind that if I can help them any. I went out about 
seven and went first to see the people who were fighting yes- 
terday. The boys began yelling just as they did before, until 
they saw I was going in there, and then they stopped, for they 
had not forgotten yesterday's lesson. " Well ! we were just 
talking about you," said the man. " What sent you here yes- 
terday just as we were trying to kill each other ?" " The Lord 
sent me," said I. " Come now, talk sense; didn't you hear us 
fighting and come in to see if the police were needed ? Why 
didn't you send for them ?" " I did not hear you fighting 
until I got into the entry, for the crowd around me were mak- 
ing such a noise. I knew you had a little boy, and whenever 
I have anything to do with children, I like to know their 
parents." " There, that is what made John run out so quick 
yesterday when she came. Why, that boy didn't come home 
till late last night," said he to me. " He was afraid you had 
let him out. I told him I would break every bone in his body 
if he ever went into that mission, and he had had too many 
lessons, poor boy, to be found out. John," called the man 
going to the door. " Come in here a minute. I wont hit ye." 
John came; his father led him- up to me and said : " John, you 
may go to the mission, or anywhere else that this woman 
wants ye to, and don't ye ever let me hear of ye're bein' dis- 
respectful to her either." John looked pleased and said 
nothing. I asked the man why he did not get something to 
do, and he said there was no work for a fellow. I spoke of 
the wood yard and told him if he would only go to work there 
and keep his eyes open for something else I believed he would 
find it. Then he said they would not give him work for they 
kept it all for the tramps. " Well," said I, " I'll go down and 
see that they give you work, if you will certainly go and do 
it." He promised, so I went and arranged for him to have 
work, but at the Organized Charities they laughed at me and 

13 



said, they guessed when he came I'd know it. To tell the 
truth, I was fearful myself that he would not go, so went right 
back and told him I thought I would come in and let him 
know that he could certainly have work. I thought of a call 
I wanted to make on George street, so I offered to walk down 
with him, soj. saw him safe at the wood-pile. Made seven- 
teen calls besides to-day. There were about two hundred at 
the meeting to-night. John was there, and if he started to do 
anything, all I had to do was to say, " I'll tell your father," 
and he was quiet. 

Thursday, August 16. 

***** To-night I went out and stood in 
the crowd and some of the fellows and girls did not know 
that I was there. A man came up to a young girl about 
fifteen years old, and told her he was going to get a drink 
and at eight o'clock she must come out and he would meet 
her at the corner of Temple and Commerce streets. She told 
him she should not dare stay out all night again, for she 
should get killed if she did. He then told her he would get 
her home by four o'clock and help her in through the window. 
She hesitated a little, but finally said she would go. I 
stepped up, and taking hold of her said, " No, you won't go," 
and turning to the man, I said, " If you come around here 
again trying to get these girls to go off with you, I'll have 
you arrested on the spot." He was a little taken aback, and 
muttered something about its being none of my business. 
" Well, I will make it some of my business," said I. 

I then took the girl into the hall and had a long talk with 
her, and found that she had been out last night until morn- 
ing walking the street with that fellow. After the meeting I 
went with the girl so as to be sure she went home. On my 
way back I met that same fellow locking arms with another of 
those young girls whom I had been trying to reach, and who 
had been in the hall a few minutes to-night, and then went out. 
I stopped in front of them, and, as it happened, there was a 
policeman near us. (I should not say happened, for I fully 
believe the Lord sent him to that spot.) " Now," I said, 
" this business must be stopped, and if you don't stop it, I 

14 



shall." If any one could have seen that man's face it would 
have done them good. He was caught again. " Keep still, 
for sake," said he. " I will keep still on just one con- 
dition," said I, " and that is that you will promise me that this 
shall not occur again with any girl, and that you will come 
into our hall every night and stay until half-past nine as long 
as we are open." " Yes, I'll promise," said he, " and you will 
see that I keep my promise, too, if you will only keep still." 
I then took that girl home. I was very tired when I reached 
home at a quarter of eleven. There is one good thing, I can 
leave my work when I get here, and go to sleep. 

Friday, August 17. 

Pleasant, but very warm. Went out early this morning 
and made sixteen calls. Did my best to get more women out 
for the mothers' meeting this afternoon, but did not succeed. 
They are all very busy when you want them to go to a meet- 
ing or else they don't understand you. They understand 
some things well enough. Really, one would not think they 
knew anything some times, but I know it is all put on, for 
they understand quickly when I have anything for them. 
Went to see the woman who came to the meeting last week, 
and helped her with her work so she could come, and went for 
her when it was time, for one cannot depend upon their word 
one bit. There were as many as a dozen that promised me 
they would come this afternoon, but only that one came. 
Went to the jail to see one of the women whose time was up 
to-day, and told her I could not come for her until night, and 
I wanted her to wait until I came for her, so that none of her 
old chums would get hold of her and lead her astray again. 
I took her to her home, if home it could be called, a little 
dark, dirty room in an old attic, and gave her some supper. I 
told her I would come for her to come to the meeting to-night 
and go home with her. Did so, and promised to go in the 
morning and get her breakfast, for I should not dare give her 
a cent, for fear she would get a drink with it. At the meeting 
to-night one girl asked me if I thought there was any danger 
of her becoming a Christian if she came to the mission ; said 

15 



her mother wanted to know. I told her all we wanted of the 
girls was to have them become good, honest girls, and do 
just what they knew was right, and as they could not do that 
alone, Jesus would help them if they would only let Him. I 
told her we did not want her to do anything that was wrong, 
and she could tell her mother so. Then she wanted to know 
if I would come and tell her mother something about Jesus, 
and see if she would not believe He was a good fellow. I 
told her I would, and so shall try and go to-morrow. At one 
place where I went to-day the children were all jumping and 
shouting around a rag doll, which they had nailed on to the 
clothes post. I went to see what the fun was and before they 
saw me I heard one girl say, " Hit him again, hit him again." 
They were all striking the poor old doll, spitting on it, and 
throwing things at it. "Ain't he most dead ?" said a little 
boy. I did not imagine what {hey were doing until I asked 
one of the little ones, and she told me they were killing 
Jesus. When I told them it was wrong to do so, they said, 
"All the little Sheenies play so." It seemed dreadful to think 
of those dear little children starting in life with such ideas of 
our dear loving Saviour. It makes me willing to endure any- 
thing if I can only get different ideas into their little heads. 
They stopped when I told them it was wrong, for they were 
very small, and they really love me, -and will not do things 
that I tell them they ought not to do. I showed them how 
to play two or three little games and then went on. 

Saturday, August 18. 
Pleasant, but very hot. Got up about five o'clock and 
wrote off some more verses for the children, then wrote a short 
letter home. Started for Oak street a little after seven and 
took my dinner so to not have to walk so far in the hot sun. 
The first place where I went was one I had been to but once 
before, and as the woman saw me she came and slammed the 
door almost in my face and said, she didn't want that Jesus 
woman bothering 'round in her house, the first she knew she 
would be bringing Him with her. I did not want to open the 
door and go right in, so I began to talk to the children and 
gave the baby some candy, to carry in to mamma, for yester- 

16 



day when I was in there she had been as pleased with the 
candy as anyone. Baby left the door open a little way so I 
could see her take the candy. She then began to drive one 
of the children to the store for her, but the child did not want 
to go, so I said, "Come, and I'll go with you," then one of the 
little girls and in fact all of the children were ready to go. So 
I took the seven and started for the store and got a five cent 
loaf of bread. When I came back of course I had to go in 
with the children to carry the bread, and if she did not turn 
around and say, " Thank you." I don't mention meetings in 
such a place as that is yet, but bye-and-bye shall get acquaint- 
ed with them and shall not be afraid to say anything to them. 

Once win their love and then shall be all right. Went 
into eight other places where I had been before, and four new 
places, then went to the hall to eat my dinner, but it was just 
impossible, for I was so hot, tired and dirty. After dinner, 
or noon rather, made three more calls and then went to the 
hall for the Band of Hope. Asked one of the large boys if 
he would be door-keeper for me, and he did very well for a 
a while, but when about seventy-five boys came around out- 
side, it was too much for him, so I shut the door and locked 
it and told him to stand there and let me know if any little 
boys or girls came that he thought wanted to come in, but in 
about two minutes a large stone came through the window, 
and then the boys outside scattered, so had it quiet for a few 
minutes. No, I can't say it was quiet inside, but it was 
outside, so that helped. Can't describe that hour, it was 
dreadful. If there had been some one to play could have got 
along better, but will not give it up. Am going to stick to it 
and have a temperance meeting. Kept about a dozen of the 
ringleaders and had them help me pick up things after the 
rest had gone, and so tried to win them over a little, but I 
never saw such boys to win over, it seems almost impossible 
to do it, but the Lord is able and I believe He will help us win 
them. 

Had to have that window fixed again to-day, have spent 
for candy, window, etc., $4.85, this week. Asked the janitor 
what he called good wages to pay a man for work by the hour, 
and he said about twenty-five cents, then I said, "I want to 

17 



hire you to tend door for me on Saturday afternoons for 
awhile, just open and shut the door when the children go out 
and come in, and I'll give you twenty-five cents until I tell 
you I don't want you." Thought it would pay better than 
spending $1.7$ every week for a window. 

After the children had all gone, I thought of a colored 
woman whom I had promised to go and see sometime this 
week. As it was Saturday night, thought I must go any way 
so as to keep my word. As I came to the number she gave 
me I saw two horrid-looking men (Italians) hanging on the 
old fence, and I had such a strong impression not to go in, 
but f thought I promised to go this week and I must, so I 
went by them and went in. There was a little entry that I 
stepped into and knocked on the inside door, and a white 
woman opened the door. I asked if there was a colored 
woman living there, and she looked back at a man who sat in 
the room and then said, " Yes, wont you come in?" Then I 
had that same impression not to go in, so I said, " No, I can't 
go in to-day, but I would like to see her a minute, can she 
come to the door ?" She then said : " John, will you see if 
Lizzie can come to the door a minute." He started to a door 
and opened it and said : " Lizzie, can you come out a minute, 
there is a lady here wants to see you?" I did not hear any 
answer and don't think there was any woman in there. He 
went into the room and I think he must have gone to the win- 
dow and spoken to those men at the door. Anyway he came 
back and said : " She says she cannot come out very well, but 
for you to come into her room," but I thought, no you don't 
get me into that room. But I said, " No, I can't very well go 
in to-day, but will come some other day." I then saw by the 
shadow on the wall that the door had shut behind me, but had 
heard nothing. I knew some one was behind me, and I 
thought of those dreadful looking men who were out by the 
fence. Well, at that time they tried to make me drink that 
beer, I thought, supposing I really did get in a place where I 
could not get out what should I do, and the thought came to 
me, get some red pepper and put in your pocket and you 
could use that. No sooner thought of than done. I got a 
quarter of a pound and did it up very tight, and had carried it 

18 



ever since, but had had no occasion to use it, so was beginning 
to think I was foolish to carry it, but had not been able to 
think to get it out of my pocket. Now I thought of it, and 
talked as fast as I could to them, telling them what to tell 
the colored woman, etc., till I could get the pepper open and 
get a handful. Then I drew the door together between the 
man and woman and myself, and turned, and quicker than a 
flash, threw the handful of pepper in the two fellows' faces 
behind me, and rushed for the door. It was locked, but the 
key was in it, so I turned it and was out of the door in an 
instant Oh, how those poor fellows did yell; I can hear them 
now. Well, I was pretty weak and turned my steps toward 
the house. Hope I did not make them blind so they will never 
get over it, but what was I to do? Went to meeting to-night 
and there was a large crowd out and they were pretty noisy, 
but not quite so bad as they were a month ago. 

Sunday, August 19. 

* Had the room packed full to-night and 
they were dreadful. One whole side was sent out, and then 
in about three minutes they began to come in again a half a 
dozen at a time, as Mr. S. does not know them yet well 
enough to tell who they were. Some of the boys had pea 
blowers to-night. Several of the peas hit Mr. S. right in the 
face, but you could not tell who blew them, for they all had 
the blowers. Quite a number had whistles too, and once in a 
while there would be a loud whistle. There were two cats 
brought in, and how frightened the poor things were. We 
could not catch them and all the crowd wanted to help catch 
them, so it seemed as if there was no chance at all to say any- 
thing that any one would hear, but we tried it and I do 
believe that it was not all in vain. It seems wicked to let 
them repeat the Lord's Prayer as they do, but I believe they 
will stop it after awhile, and if we give up saying it they will 
think they have stopped our repeating it, and I know from 
what I have had told me that all most of them come here 
for is to break up the meetings. 



<9 



Thursday, August 23. 

Got up about five, wrote a letter and studied a while, and 
then went and got the sick people some breakfast and washed 
and dressed the children. As I was making calls, a boy 
came out of one house and said his father wanted to see me, 
I felt just a little uneasy, but thought I might be able to do 
some good and went. There sat four men and two women 
around a table playing cards. They bad three empty beer- 
bottles and two full ones. One of the men said, " We thought 
you would like to play a game with us, so we sent Mitty out 
to ask you in." " Well," I said, " that is something I don't 
know how to play ; if you have a game of dominoes or 
checkers I'll play a game with you. I can't stay very long 
for there is a man and woman, both very sick, for whom I 
have been getting breakfast, and I promised to come back 
soon." I told them a pitiable story of how I had found 
these people, and they seemed a good deal surprised, for I 
think they intended to have some fun by getting me in there, 
expecting me to talk to them about playing cards, and I did 
not mention it at all. At last they asked me what we were try- 
ing to do down in that hall. Then I had a chance to talk, 
and in such a way that there was nothing to laugh at. When 
I got ready to go, the boy's father said, " Now I'm real glad 
you are doing what you are, and if there is anything you want 
a chap like me to do, just call on me, and if that feller," point- 
ing to Mitty, "makes you any trouble, just let me know it 
and I'll break his neck." I asked them if they did not have 
any work. One had lost his job a day or two before, another 
did not like his place, and the rest could not find work. I 
spoke of the woodyard and asked if it would not be better to 
earn fifty cents than nothing. They had not looked at it in 
that way, and two of them started and said, " Let's go down 
now," and they went. 

Went and attended to the sick ones again, and just as I 
was going by a saloon the door opened and I saw one of my 
women in there. She was one I had met as she came out of 
jail last week, and had taken her to her room and given her 
something to eat when she had nothing. I went right in and 

20 



she was just draining a glass of something. I went and took 
her hand and tried to get her to go home, but she was just 
drunk enough to be a little ugly, so she was determined not to 
go. The saloon keeper stepped up then and ordered me out. 
I straightened up, and looking him in the face said, " If you 
make me go out without that woman, I'll make you smart for 
having this place open last Sunday." He was conquered in 
an instant and hurried to the woman and told her she must go 
out. Then he whispered to me and said, " What will you take 
to keep still ? " M I'll take nothing, sir," said I, " only you had 
better look out that this place is not open again on Sunday f 
and when any of the people whom I am trying to help live 
decent lives get in here, and I come for them, you need not 
order me out. Those two things will keep me still this time." 
I got the woman home, she trying to hug me and crying all 
the way, and saying she had not had anything to drink, etc. 
When I got her home, I told her that she would feel better if 
she went to bed. She took off what little clothing she wore 
and lay down. How I should like to put some of these 
miserable wretches into a bath tub and clean them up once. 
I don't believe they would look like the same people when 
they came out. Had a grand racket at the hall again to-night. 
There were three dogs, two cats and a mud turtle brought 
in and set free. * * * * 

Sunday, October 21. 

I have been to New York for a week visiting missions and 
have not seen one that I would like to exchange for ours. 
They behaved pretty badly again to- 
night. They came in in a rush and it took some time to get 
them quieted down. Mr. S. said as soon as he could be heard, 
that any one who yelled to-night would have to go out. After 
a little, one of the older fellows yelled as loud as he could and 
he was told to go out. Immediately another said, " I'll go, 
too," and then the others all started. They had put glue or 
mucilage on the chairs and they started, too. For a little 
while there was great confusion. I took hold of one chair 
and gave it a jerk and the boy went out. The policeman took 

21 



hold of another and with it came a piece of the boy's pants. It 
really was not as much fun as the boys had thought it would 
be. All the rest had to get up to see if they were stuck down, 
of course,' and it took some time to get things straightened 
out so we could go on. It is very strange that they hear 
anything but they do get some good in spite of it all* 

Monday, October 22. 

Got up at half-past five. Was so tired it seemed as if I 
could not get up earlier. Went to see how the woman was 
who was sick before I went away, a week ago. She was glad 
to see me and the'baby is doing nicely. I don't believe she 
has washed it since it was born. I washed it then and the 
next day, so I know it has been washed twice. I took it up 
and washed and dressed it. Oh, it was so dirty! I wish some 
of the ladies who have little ones could see one of these poor 
little neglected things. I told the mother she ought to wash 
and d*-ess it every day. She said she guessed I wouldn't if I 
had to work all day washing as she did. Well, I don't know 
as I should, but it seems as if I should. Her husband drinks 
and she just about kills herself to take care of herself and six 
children besides the baby. I have such a thankful feeling 
because I am not in their places and I almost wish I could be 
divided in order to^be in ever so many places at once helping 
them. At one place where it has been hard to get any hold 
of the family I found the mother real sick, so I did everything 
I could to make her comfortable, and cleaned up the children, 
giving them each a penny to go out and spend, and then stay 
out to play and let her rest. She was unaccustomed to have 
any one do anything for her, and it just broke her all up and 
she lay there and cried like a baby. She said she would never 
be so mean to me again as she had been, and she did not see 
what made me so kind to her. I told her I loved her, that 
she was my sister and I ought to do for her. She could not 
understand me at first, but think she did before I came away. 
Went from there in where a woman was trying to fry some 

May i, 1892. 
*These young men are now leaders in a literary and social club which meets weekly at the 
Hall, and when they are present at a religious meeting are respectful and attentive listeners. 

22 



doughnuts the way Mrs. C. said I had told her. Mrs. C. had 
had such a time by getting her's too soft that she said so much 
about it, that the woman had her's as far the other way. They 
were so hard you could easily play foot-ball with them. I 
told her if she would let me know the next time she wanted to 
make some I would come in and show her how to do it. She 
asked if another woman could come, too, and I said, "Oh, yes, 
bring in as many as you wish; I had as soon teach a dozen as 
one." She said she wanted to ask me how we made a shirt, 
as she was trying to make one for her husband. She had 
taken an old calico skirt of her's and she was trying to make 
the top of it answer for the neck, and had slit up the side and 
cut it off for sleeves. It was too ridiculous for anything I 
told her if she would let me have that shirt for a pattern, I 
would get a shirt fixed ready for her to sew oit! I really 
stretched the truth a little, for I wanted it to keep as a sample 
of their work. She thought she hadn't better let me_take it, 
for she had got it^so he could wear it pretty soon, and she was 
afraid she would have to wait too long. I told her if she 
would come over to the mothers' meeting on Friday after- 
noon I would have some new cloth there, and she might make 
her husband a new shirt. She said she would come, but it 
remains to be seen whether she does or not. Have been in 
to forty-four places to-day. Want to get around as fast as I 
can, for I have been away and it is a good excuse to get into 
some of the places again. One man came out and said they 
wanted to have me come in and pray with them. I knew all 
was not right by his actions, so I rather dreaded to go in, but 
I asked for help and went. There sat about a dozen men and 
as I went in one of them got up and gave me his chair. All 
of them had such dreadful looking faces it was really quite a 
tight place to be in. I said : " I hear you want me to pray for 
you. Now I will pray if you will all kneel down." They all 
knelt. I sent up another silent prayer and knelt by my chair, 
and then how I did pray. I don't believe I ever prayed much 
faster in my life, and when I said " amen," they all said it, too, 
and got up. " Well, you are a buster," said one fellow; "we 
didn't get you in here to pray at all, but to have some fun and 
we thought you would run when you saw so many of us." " I 

23 



don't believe in running, especially when men need praying 
for," said I. " I know, but we didn't want you to pray when 
we sent for you," said the fellow. " No, but you needed it," 
said I, "and now I want to know if you won't go on pray- 
ing for yourselves every clay. I will pray for you and will 
come in any time and pray with you if you want me to. Come 
up to the hall evenings. We have good meetings and I think 
you would enjoy them." They all said they would come. 

Friday, October 26. 

Had two women for my mothers' meeting this afternoon, 
although I worked all the forenoon to get more. The woman 
I promised the shirt to, came, and I had it all cut out. I 
showed her how to put it together and she was surprised to 
see the different pieces it took to make it. She supposed it 
was all cut out together. It is strange that they know so 
little how to do things. ****** 

Had the girls' meeting to-night, and about eighty were in. 
It is just as hard to manage the girls as it is the boys. As 
they went out I heard one girl say, " I am not going home 
now, I'm going to have some fun first." "Is he coming to- 
night ? " said another. " Yes, and you can go with us if you 
want to," said the first girl. I could not catch all that was 
said, but heard, "Not out-doors, you fool you, but over in the 
old house." I did not know what to do at first, for Miss R. 
was with me, but as she is here to get some idea of mission 
work, I thought this would give her several ideas, so I told 
her of the case and she said she would stay with me if I was 
willing. We stayed in the hall about half an hour and then 
started out and went quietly up to the old house. Well, I 
could not write down the talk we heard, but at last I could 
stand it no longer, and I said, " Nellie and Carrie, come out of 
this place this instant or you will get in trouble." All was very 
quiet. I knew they were there, but I did not know just how 
many men there might be, and must own, I felt a little queer 
about going in there in the dark. So I took Miss R's hand 
and held it so she would not think I was in earnest and start 
off, and said, " Miss R., you go for two policemen and tell 
them to corne with their lanterns, and if anyone tries to 

24 



get away from here, I'll yell as loud as I can." Some one 

spoke now and said, " For sake, keep still and we'll 

come out," and out came an oldish man. No one knows how 
long this had been going on. I gave him a piece of my mind 
and then took the girls both to their homes. There are so 
many girls going astray just like that. Oh ! that I may be 
the means of saving hundreds of them. I'll be willing to en- 
dure anything if the Lord will only use me. 

Thursday, November i. 

Got up at five o'clock to study and write, and started for 
Oak street at seven. I had promised to show Mrs. S. how to 
make a shirt for her husband, so went there first. She was 
not half dressed and was walking the floor with the baby 
screaming at the top of its voice. She was trying to feed it 
from a bottle with milk that had stood no one knows how 
long and was so thick that it would not come out of the bottle. 
I got some fresh milk and warmed it a little, and then told her 
to let me take the baby and feed it and she could get washed 
and dressed and comb her hair so we could go to work. The 
cloth she brought to me to work on she had used to wrap the 
baby in and was so dirty I could not work on it. Just then a 
little girl ran in saying her little sister was in a fit and mamma 
wanted me to come quick. I told Mrs. S. to wash the cloth 
out and hang it by the stove, and rushed for the neighbors. I 
got some warm water and put the child's feet and hands into 
it and rubbed her quite hard and she began to come out of it 
after a long time. After she was all right I went back to the 
shirt, and I wish some one else could have seen that piece of 
cloth. She had pretended to wash it, but such a looking 
thing as it was. It was still wet so I could not cut it, so I 
said, " Let me take this home and get it all planned, then it 
will not be so much work for you to see how to cut it." I took 
it to the hall and washed it myself as well as I could in 
cold water. I pulled it and folded it before it was quite dry 
and then put it under pressure and it looks very well now. 

Friday, November 2. 
I cut out that shirt as well as I could this morning and got 

25 



it where she could sew it up and then left her, promising to 
come again and see how she got along. After making three 
calls I went back and she%thought she had it almost done, but 
such sewing! It was simply basted. I said: " Why, you 
have basted it all over havn't you ? And you have basted it 
better than I did, too. Now you want to sew it like this," and 
I showed her how to back-stitch. Well, I talked so fast, and 
praised her so much for her basting that she didn't say a word 
about its being sewed. That is the way I have to manage 
with the women in the mothers' meeting to get them to sew a 
little better without offending them. I made eight calls and 
then went in again. If I hadn't seen theother work I should 
have thought this was dreadful. I took a few stitches in it 
here and there, so as to make it a little stronger. * * * * 

1889. 

Monday, January 7. 

There were so many things that I wanted to do to-day, 
that I did not know which way to turn, but have found it does 
not do any good to plan, so just start out and go first where 
it seems best, and the next thing I know it is night. I went 
first to do some little things for some sick women and then 
sent one of the women I found fighting the other day, off to 
do some washing. I thought I should have to look out and 
see that they did not have another spree, if she had some 
money, but as she went by the hall on her way home, she 
gave me all her money to keep for her except fifteen cents 
which she had spent for something to eat. I went to see one 
of the young fellows who has been at the hall a good deal 
and who was sick and not expected to live. I carried him 
some flowers and he was pleased with them. After awhile 
his mother left the room to get something to put the flowers 
in, and Tommy looked at me and said, " Miss Remington, 
I'm not satisfied, I'm not satisfied." "Why are ycu not 
satisfied?" said I. "I'm not satisfied to die as I am," said 
he. " Well you need not," said I, "Jesus is ready to take you 
if you will only let Kim, and then you can go and live with 
Him and be happy always, and some day the rest of us will 

26' 



meet you there." "Oh, He wont take me now, will He ?" " Yes, 
right now; just believe and say, ' Here I am, Jesus, take me,' 
and He will do it." Just then his mother came back, and he 
stopped and I saw he wanted me to, so I said no more then. 
As I left him I contrived to say : " I am going to pray for 
you. Will you pray for yourself, too ?" " Yes," he whis- 
pered. " Will you come again to-morrow ?" I have been 
praying for him all day. Went from there to see the little M. 
children. They have no mother, and the aunt they live with 
is very poor. There was no fire, and the aunt had gone out 
and told them they must not touch the stove. I found they 
had not had any breakfast, so I went and got a five-cent loaf of 
bread and some eggs. I boiled them an Qgg each and put it 
on some bread, and they ate as though they liked it, and the 
bread was about half gone when I left. I went into eight 
more places this forenoon, and in one I swept up a room, in 
another quieted a cross baby and got it to sleep, in another I 
showed a woman how to make a soup out of some bones she 
was going to throw away. So, in one way and another, I 
made each place a little more cheerful than it would have 
been. I do love every one of these poor ignorant people, and 
if I can only make their lives a little brighter I shall be fully 
repaid. After dinner I made nine more calls. In one place 
there were some men playing cards, smoking, and drinking 
beer. The woman, they said, was sick and in the other room, 
and they invited me to go in and see her. I own I felt rather 
queer to have those seven men between me and the door. I 
am generally very careful to keep between the door and them, 
but I seemed called to go, and breathing a prayer for help, 
and thinking of my red pepper, I went in with apparent 
bravery. I wish the church people could see the sight I saw 
as I went in that room, only I'm afraid they would say, "There 
is no use in trying to do anything with such people," and I 
believe there is. There lay a woman in one corner on a heap 
of rags, and a man in another on some more rags. Well, I 
thought the woman was dying, and I told the man who showed 
me into the room to go for some doctor as soon as he could. 
I rubbed her and worked over her for some time and it seemed 
as if he would never get back. At last he came, and the 

27 



doctor with him. As soon as the doctor got the chance he 
said to me : " You are not safe in here. When I go out, you 
go, too. I cannot leave you in such a place." I said : " I 
cannot go as long as I can be of any use here. I am not 
afraid of them." They had become a little alarmed by this 
time, and as the doctor went out he told them that if they did 
just as I told them, he thought the woman would live, but if 
they did not, he thought she would die. I made a poultice of 
some flaxseed that I sent one of them out for, and fixed her as 
comfortably as it was possible to fix a woman on the floor, and 
after cleaning up a little, I left. As I went out, I said : " I 
wish you would put those things into the fire and never play 
with them any more," pointing to the cards. Immediately, 
the man put them into the fire. " Now, if you would pour 
that beer down the sink and never drink another drop, you 
would begin to be quite a man." He started with the beer. 
I could not understand what made him do those things, but 
think it must have been because the doctor told him the last 
thing that if he did what I told him, the woman might live. 
The doctor said she had pneumonia, and that it was very 
doubtful if she lived. After making other calls and getting 
an old quilt from one of the ladies, I went back and made her 
more comfortable. I talked to the men about going to work 
and being able to have a bed and other things. They all 
listened, and two men said they would go to work to-morrow, 
and one of them thought another fellow could have a job 
where he was going. They were looking quite different this 
time. There were no cards or beer to be seen, and the men 
had cleared up the kitchen a little. 

Tuesday, January 8. 
Went to see how that sick woman was and found her a little 
easier. Three of the men had gone off to work and two others 
were out of doors. The man who was drunk in the corner 
was the woman's husband. He was all right to-day, and says 
he is going to turn over a new leaf and go to work. They all 
seemed very thankful for what I did for them. I shall do all 
in my power to help them to take hold and live better. It 
seems to be a perfect surprise to this kind of people to have 

28 






any one care for them. She asked me this morning if I was 
an angel. That gave me a chance to tell her of Jesus and 
His love for her. It is perfectly wonderful how the Lord 
opens the way for me to speak of Him. 

Sunday, June 23,. 
Pleasant. Got up about half-past five, for have been so 
very busy all the week have not had time to study my Sunday 
School lesson at all. Went to church and Sunday School, 
then started out to go round for the children. Had a good, 
large Sunday School to-day and very good order. It is just a 
year ago to-day that I came here, and what a change there 
has been in the people that come to the mission. To begin 
with, all the people that let their children come to the mission 
for a year ago was to break up the meetings and to " shut 
the d — d hole up," as they said. Now all I have to do is to 
go through the street and if the children see me, they call out 
to the mother, " I'm going to the mission," and they will 
come along quietly with me and no such yelling as there used 
to be. I go up one street and down another so to remind 
them of Sunday School, as their parents do not care whether 
they go or not, so they get off to play and don't think of it. 
After we get to the hall I wait out of doors with the children 
so as to keep them still until the door is opened. Then 
another thing that is different, a year ago there was hardly a 
child but what would tear its paper up as soon as it got out of 
doors and throw the pieces in your face, now most of them are 
careful to keep them to read. * * * * 

Monday, June 24. 

* * One of the girls asked me to- 

night if I would go and see her father to-morrow, as he was 
very sick. I promised to go. I have been there a great many 
times, but have never seen him. People have told me to look 
out for him when he is drunk, for he will pitch right in 
and fight. 

Tuesday, June 25. 

Stormy. Went out early and made four calls and then 
went in to see Mr. . As I went into the kitchen his wife 

29 



was crying and saying to a little boy who was crying, too, 
" Well, you know we haven't any. If your father would be- 
have himself, you could have something to ■ eat." I said: 
" Well, my dear, what is the trouble, are you hungry ?" The 
little boy said, " Yes," so I gave him five cents and told him 
to run to the store and get me a loaf of bread. He took the 
money and ran. " I am very sorry," said I " that you are 
having such a time, and that your husband is feeling so badly." 
Just then I heard a sort of a grunt, and turning to the door 
that was open saw him trying to look out. I forgot all about 
his wanting to fight, and went right to him and said : " I am 
so sorry for you." I wish I could draw a picture of this face, 
such astonishment, to think I was sorry for him. I asked him 
if his head ached. He said that it did, so I asked his wife if 
she had some coffee. She said they had none, so I sent the 
boy for some and had her make a good strong cup of coffee. 
After he felt a little better I began to talk to him about stop- 
ping right where he was and turning over a new leaf and tak- 
ing Jesus for his helper. " Oh, Miss Remington, you don't 
know what you are talking about. Why, I can no more let 
beer alone than I can stop breathing." " I know you can't, 
alone ; but Jesus will help you if you will only let Him." 
" Oh, I wish I could," he groaned, " but there is no use. The 
sooner I am dead and out of the way the better it will be for me 
and all the rest." " No drunkard can inherit the kingdom of 
heaven," I said. " Now look here," said I, " will you give me 
your word that you wont touch a drop of beer for one hour, 
God helping you ?" He hesitated, and then said, " Yes, I 
will." " Then let us ask God to help you," said I. I prayed 
for him earnestly, and as I stopped he said, " God help me." 
" Now, I am going to make a few more calls and I'll be back 
in just one hour, and don't you touch a drop," said I, " until I 
come back. Remember your promise, and if you are tempted 
just ask God to help you." I told his wife to make another 
good cup of coffee and give it to him, if he wanted any before 
I came back. I went back just as the hour was up and found 
him walking the floor this time instead of lying on it, and say- 
ing " I must have it, I must have it." " Here I am," said I, 
"have you had any more coffee ?" " He would not touch it," 

30 



said his wife. " Please bring me a good strong cup," said I. 
I got a chair for him and one for myself and helped him steady 
the cup so he could drink. After he had taken it, and got 
over his trembling a little, I said, " Now, will you promise me 
for another hour, God helping you ?" It took several minutes 
to think this time, so I said, " Let us pray about it." I prayed 
again earnestly that he might be given strength to promise 
and to keep the promise. Each time I prayed that the appe- 
tite might be taken away. As I rose from my knees he said : 
" Yes, I'll promise, and God helping me, I'll keep it." Then, 
after talking to his wife about cleaning up and making the 
house as pleasant as possible, I left, promising to come again 
in an hour. I went, and had about the same time as I had 
before. All day I have kept it up, going there once an hour 
and praying with him, and making him promise for another 
hour. I came from there at ten o'clock to-night, after getting 
him to promise he would not go out until morning. At first 
he was not willing to do it, but I told him if he would not 
promise I should not go home at all, but should stay there 
with him. As I went out his wife followed me and said : "He 
will go as soon as it is morning and then he'll be just as bad 
to-morrow as he has been to-day." " What time will he 
probably go ?" said I. " He will go by five o'clock sure." 
" Then I will be here by four o'clock," said I. I must stop 
writing and go to bed so as to be sure to wake up in season. 
Am pretty tired. Made eighteen short calls besides working 
with him so much to-day. 

Wednesday, June 26. 
I did not sleep much last night for fear I should not wake 
up in time. At three o'clock I got up for I was afraid I 

should go to sleep again. Reached Mr. 's house about 

ten minutes of four. He was up, walking the floor, waiting 
for the saloon to be open, so he conld get in. He did not 
hear me until I was beside him, and I said, " I am so glad 
God has kept you from going out." " Oh," he said, " I wish 
you knew for one minute what this dreadful appetite is. I 
should not wish you to know any longer than that. Why 
don't God take it away ? You have asked Him to over and 

31 



over." " He certainly will," said I, " if we keep on praying. 
He has answered our prayers, for He has given you strength 
to bear the dreadful longing and not yield to it." We had 
another season of prayer and f persuaded him to lie down on 
the bed and I read to him from my Bible which I brought 
with me. At half-past six I told him I would go home to my 
breakfast and leave him to have his, and then I would come 
back. He said he could not eat anything, but when I went 
back I carried a loaf of bread and a little piece of meat, and 
made him some toast. He ate a little and drank some coffee. 
I have kept going there every two hours all day to-day and 
went the last thing, about ten o'clock, to-night. He is much 
better to-night and stronger, so he is better able to control 
himself. He told me he would not go near the saloon until 
I came in the morning and that I need not come as early as 
I did this morning. The Lord is able to keep him and I be- 
lieve He will. 

Friday, June 28. 

I went to the lodging house to see if the man I sent there 
last night had gone to the woodyard to earn money to pay for 
his lodging, as he promised to do. I asked the people if they 
had ever seen the fellow I sent there before. They said they 
guessed they had, as he had been staying there three or four 
nights and that they should not have taken him in last night 
if I had not sent him. " Do you know where he is now?" said 
I. " Probably he is over in the saloon. He has been there 
most of the time lately." " Here is your ten cents," said I, 
" now I will go and get mine." " Let us know when you 
get it," said they with a laugh. I went over to the saloon and 
as I opened the door several fellows who were in the little 
back room put their heads out to see who had come in, and I 
saw the man I was after. I heard a noise and a door open 
and shut, so turning, I said to the bartender, " The man I 
wanted to see has gone out." I went out the front way and 
round into a little alley, for I knew where that back door went 
just as well as that fellow did, and I met him hurrying for the 
street. " You might as well stop," said I ; " for if you under- 
take to get away from me I will have you arrested on the 

32 



spot." He could not see the street, so he did not know but 
there was a policeman right there. " Now are you going to 
pay for your lodging ?" said I. By this time there was quite 
a crowd gathered and the windows were up in the saloon and 
the men were listening to the fun. '■ If you think you can 
come into our hall and tell such a lie as you did last night, 
and get ten cents out of us for your lodging, when you are sit- 
ting around all day in the saloon, you are greatly mistaken." 
" Well, here is your ten cents for my lodging, and if you will 
let me off this time, I'll never do such a thing again." "Just 
as sure as a fellow comes into our hall again and asks for a 
lodging, I'll hand him over to the police and we'll find out 
if he is a fraud or not, and if he is, we will give him free lodg- 
ings for a while," said I. I don't believe we shall be troubled 
with lodgers any more, as I had such a good audience to listen 
to what I told this man. When I came out of the alley, I saw 
a policeman hurrying down the street towards the crowd, so 
I waited and explained what the trouble was. Made -eight 
calls and then came up to dinner. Went back and made 
seven more. Can't make so many as I used to, for they are 
so different and want me to stay longer. Then they have so 
many different things to show me ; they like to have me see 
how nicely the girls have made up the beds, etc. So many 
of the places where a year ago there was not a bed, now they 
have them, and the girls that have been in the kitchen garden 
love to see how nicely they can make them, and those 
who have not been in the class have seen how these girls do 
and try to do the same. Wish the teachers who have helped 
in this work could see the difference in the homes. They 
would feel paid for all the time and labor spent, I know. 
Must tell them more about it to encourage them. Went up 
to see that family where the little girl died on a table a year 
ago and where there was not a bed, and the father and mother 
were such dreadful creatures, and you would not know it was 
the same place. Wish I had a picture of it as it was then, 
the poor little dirty child and all, and a picture of it now. 
One of the children is sick now, but not dangerously sick, 
and she is in a nice clean bed with a white spread on it, and 
as the mother stood by me to-day she said, " This aint much 

33 



as you found us a year ago, is it ? " They have neither of 
them drank a drop now for about eight months and the mother 
is in the mothers' meeting. Had the mothers' meeting this 
afternoon and there were twenty-two present. I often think 
of a year ago when I was going to the hall alone every Fri- 
day afternoon and could not get a woman near it, then how 
one woman ventured to go, and we went for three months 
before we could get another there. Had the meeting for the 
girls to-night and there were forty-eight there. A very good 
meeting. 

Thursday, July i i. 
The first thing this morning, I got into a place where 
there were eight men and four women who lived in two 
little rooms. ******** 
It is wonderful how the Lord takes away fear when I get into 
such a place. One of the women was trying to make some 
ginger-bread, so I showed her how, and then how to make 
some pie crust, for she had some apples. After getting her 
so I thought she could get along, I went into the next house 
and helped a woman fix over an apron she was trying to make 
for her little girl, which she had almost ruined. I went back 
to see the pie, and if she had not cut the apples up worm holes, 
skin, stems and all, and got them in the crust! I showed her 
how she ought to have done it, and before I left I had a chance 
for a little plain talk with this woman, who I found was really 
the boss of the place. I saw that I had quite a little hold on 
her when she would stand and listen to me. Have never 
been in here but once before, but shall go oftener now. * * * 

Friday, July 12. 
* * * A woman came to me at the close of the 
mothers' meeting and wanted me to give her ten cents to get 
a loaf of bread. She had eaten nothing to-day or yesterday. 
I asked her where she lived and she said it was a dreadful 
place and she did not want me to go there. I told her if it 
was a dreadful place, that was just where I wanted to go. At 
last, I persuaded her to go with me. I thought I had been 
into every nook around here, but she took me where I had 
never been. I supposed I had been all through that house, 

34 



but this was in the very top. There was not room enough 

to stand up straight, and ten people lived there. Oh, the dirt 

and the air in that room ! 1 was actually faint and sick, and 

I can stand a good deal. She told the others that I had come 

to see where she lived and was going to get her something to 

eat and she would give them some. They were not very 

pleasant looking people and I'll own I felt better when I got 

outside. As I came down the dark stairs, I met another old 

creature going up. I went and got them something to eat 

and took it back. I asked if they were all able to work, and 

they said, " Yes," if they could only get work to do. I told 

them I would see if I could find them some work and let them 
know ********* 

Saturday, July 13. 
Got up about five. After breakfast I went to see the peo- 
ple in the garret, and then understood how so many of them 
live there without work, for there were several new men there 
this morning. I probably came earlier than they expected. 
I made up my mind that here was a problem ; to find how to 
get all these people to work and shut up the place. I did not 
pretend to notice anything, for I thought it better to take the 
women alone, if possible. I had one hundred and seventy-five 
children at my Band of Hope, and after the temperance meet- 
ing I let all those, who wanted to, sit down to sew. There 
were one hundred and seventy-two who stayed and it was a 
job to get them to keep still until I could put a piece of patch- 
work into their hands. They could not half of them thread 
their needles, so I said, " All take your thread out of your 
needles, and when I say, One! Two! Three! you can thread 
them again and I'll see who can do it the quickest." It took 
three minutes for the quickest and at the end of ten minutes 
there were twenty-five who had not threaded theirs. Such look- 
ing pieces as I have that they sewed ! I am going to keep 
them and make use of them some Saturday in having them 
pulled out to sew over. 

Wednesday, July 17. 
* Went to the garret and found two of the 
women alone. I asked one of them if she would not rather 

35 



go out to work or take in washing than to keep such a place, 
and was surprised enough when she said, " Yes. I am sick 
of the business, but do not see how I am going to get out of 
it." " Well," I said, " If you mean what you say, there is just 
one way out of it, and I'll tell you what it is if you want to 
know." She said she did, and I said : "Just stop short right 
where you are, and tell the men and women who come here 
that you are sick of it, and are not going to go on with it 
another day." " But where shall I get food to eat ■?" said she. 
" I'll see to your food if you really mean business, until I can 
find something for you to do," said I. She said then she 
would stop. The other woman said she was willing to give 
up her old way of living, too, if I would find her something to 
do. I said : " I will do my best, but now let us stop right 
where we are and ask God to help us, for we can never do this 
alone in our own strength." So we all knelt and I prayed 
earnestly that they might really mean what they said and 
take Christ as their helper. They said they should shut right 
down on the men and women. They might be obliged to 
keep them that night, but there would be no more such actions 
as there had been. * * 

Thursday, July 18. 
* * Found the women in the garret looking quite 
happy. They said they had thought of a way in which they 
could get a respectable living. They would get some rooms 
and keep boarders honestly. I did not like to have them do 
it, but I had nothing better to suggest and could make no 
objections if they were determined to do it honestly. I shall 
keep a pretty close watch of them. When I prayed with them 
to-day, they prayed for themselves, too. They were both in 
the meeting to-night and said they had found some rooms. 

Friday, July 19. 
* * * * Those two women who had been 
moving to-day came to the mothers' meeting. They said 
the one time they had been to the hall helped them so much 
they wanted to come again. After the meeting they wanted 
me to go home with them and see their new rooms.* 

"These two momen continued to keep a respectable boarding house. One of them has since 
died and the other lives honestly and comes regularly to the hall. 

36 






Saturday, July 20. 
I got up early to cut blocks for my sewing school. I tried 
the race with threading the needles again to-day, and then 
picked out the four who did it the quickest and asked them 
if they would be teachers and help the others. The sewing 
hour is very hard work for me, for they all want something at 
once. I am in hopes that I shall have help about it in the 
fall, when people get home. I want it to go, and shall plod 
along as well as I can until help comes. One thing we do 
every Saturday afternoon is to have the children who have 
buttons off their shoes, sew them on the first thing. To-day, 
two of the girls took off their waists and sewed some buttons 
on, and one girl sewed up a rip in her dress. * * * 

Wednesday, Septembr 4. 

It has been so warm to-day that everything looked and 
seemed a great deal dirtier than it otherwise would. I have 
been just as busy as I could possibly be all day. Went to one 
place where I prepared the breakfast, cleaned the children 
and made their beds. The mother has been sick, but is a 
little better and I am in hopes she will get well soon now. I 
took the baby with me for two hours so as to give her a rest. 
Made eleven calls with him and then went to the hall and let 
the children in. The first thing I did was to wash them all, 
which is quite an undertaking, but nothing to what it used to 
be, for some of them come quite clean now. I kept them until 
noon and then sent them home. Had ninety six children to- 
day. Several mothers came to the door with their babies and 
left them and then came for them at noon. The baby had 
been just as good as it could be all the morning. I took it 
home and got them all some dinner, and after the baby had 
something to eat he went to sleep. I then came home to 
dinner. Went right back and at the first place I stopped 
I found the woman discouraged because she had begun a dress 
for her baby and as she had made a mistake, she could not 
put the dress together. I worked a little while and straight- 
ened that out for her so I left her happy. At the next place 
the woman was having neuralgia in her face and was almost 

37 



crazy. The children all wanted something, so that made it 
worse. I showed the children how to make mud pies out in 
the yard so the mother could be quiet. Then I rubbed her 
head until she felt better. At the next place the mother had 
a very large ironing that must be finished and sent home to- 
night. The baby, three months old, was crying, and she said 
it had been crying just so hard all day. T took it up and as 
she had nothing to feed it, I sent the little boy for some milk 
and after warming it, gave the hungry little thing something 
to eat. Then I washed it, as the little fellow had not been 
taken up at all to-day. It really seems wicked for such peo- 
ple to have children. I fixed the baby the best I could and 
took it out of doors with me, and kept it for about two hours. 
When I went back she had finished her ironing so I carried 
it home for her. The woman looked at me rather sharply 
when I left the clothes. Don't know who she thought I was. 
Gave a music lesson about five o'clock, after the girls got 
home from school. I went into one place and helped a boy 
do some examples that had been troubling him at school. 
The father came in while I was there and wanted to know if 
there was anything that I did not know how to do, for he had 
seen me giving the music lesson. He asked if I would teach 
him to read and write. I told him I would if he really wanted 
to learn and would come home every night at six o'clock, I 
would be there and would teach him for an hour, except Mon- 
day and Thursday nights, when I have the large girls. Went 
to the meeting to-night. 

Saturday, September 7. 
***** Started Penny Savings Bank to- 
day, and had twenty-one depositors. They are all afraid of 
it, as some one tells them that we want to get their money 
away from them. ***** 

Thursday, Dec. 5. 

I went out very early this morning as one of the children 

said her father was sick. He was in a saloon and as he 

bought a drink he says it seems as though something struck 

him, and that is all he remembers. Probably he got into a 

38 



fight, whatever it was, he is badly bruised and I am afraid he 
is hurt internally so he will never get over it. Had quite a 
talk with him, and he says if he ever gets over this, he will 
never drink another drop as long as he lives. It seems his 
mother was a nice woman and a member of the Methodist 
church and he always went to church and Sunday school, 
until he was about sixteen years old. Then he says he 
thought he was too big to go to Sunday school and very soon 
he was too big to go to church too, so he stayed away from 
both. I asked him if he would like to have me pray with him 
and he said he should, so we all knelt and I prayed earnestly 
for him, and for the rest of the family. When we rose, he 
thanked me and said I had done him lots of good. I told his 
wife I thought she ought to have a doctor, and she said, if he 
was not better, she would. After the evening meeting, I 
went to see them again and talked and prayed with them. I 
could see that he was worse. 

Friday, Dec. 6. 

Got up early and was just ready to study when I was told 
there were two women who wanted to see me. I was sur- 
prised to find it was the sick man's wife, and for an instant I 
thought he must be dead. She said, " Oh, Miss Remington, 
my husband is so very sick I don't know what to do. I 
might as well tell you the truth, I have no money to pay a 
doctor so I have not had one." " He must have a doctor," I 
said, so I telephoned for one telling him that I would see that 
he had his pay. I went to the place as soon as possible and 
the doctor had just gone. The woman said her husband had 
been crazy all night and it was all they could do to hold him. 
He had been more quiet, but now he was worse again. She 
said, "Miss Remington has come, don't you know her?" I 
took hold of his hand, and he said, " Yes, I know her, she will 
not let you abuse me, I know she will take my part." He 
was quiet for a few moments at a time and then it was almost 
impossible to hold him, but I clung to him like a tiger. The 
women were so frightened I could not get them to do anything, 
not even to go for help, so I held him for nearly eight hours. 
Finally, a grocer came in and I asked him if he would stay 

39 



until I could see about getting the man into the hospital. He 
said he would if I would hurry. I went to the hospital and 
they told me to go to the Town. I went to Mr. Preston and 
he said go to the Town Agent, and see if they would send a 
doctor. I went there and they were going to send me down to 
Wooster street to hunt up a doctor, and run the risk of my 
not finding him and wDrking until night as I had done. They 
had a telephone and I asked if they could not telephone and 
save my going down there, so they did. The doctor would 
not be in until six o'clock and they calmly asked if it would 
not answer if he came then. Well, I told them if they had 
been holding a crazy man for about eight hours and had not 
had a mouthful to eat since half past five in the morning, 
I did not think they would care to go back and hold him three 
or four hours longer. Guess I was a little excited. Then 
they began to inquire if his family could pay a part of the 
charge at the hospital. When I promised to see that half of 
the charge was paid, they decided to send a doctor right over 
and see about the case, then after the doctor had been, they 
would send to the hospital. What a lot of red tape, I thought, 
yards of it. The poor grocer had staid there all the time I 
had been away. I then held the man until half past six when 
the ambulance came for him. It took four men to get him 
down stairs. I went to the hospital with him and then went 
back to the house and comforted the family the best I could, 
and then went to the hall for the meeting. Oh, how tired I 
was ! 

Sunday, Dfxember 8. 

Went to church and Sunday school. Went to the hall 
early as usual to get out as many children as possible. There 
was a large crowd to-day, more than there has been for a 
good while. They did very well, but others called them 
pretty noisy ; perhaps it was for now, but I always stop and 
look back a little and that always helps me. Came home and 
rested till five o'clock and then went to the hospital and found 
the man just alive. He knew me and tried to smile, and said 
" Thank you," then dropped away while I was there. His body 
will be carried home to-morrow. 



40 



Had a full meeting to-night and Dr. Todd was there. Asked 

him if he would attend the funeral of Mr. C , and he said 

he would. Came home about half-past nine. 

Monday, December 9. 

Started out a little after seven and went up to Mrs. C. to 
help her do anything I could to get ready for the funeral. 
Then went to the Town Agent and paid half of Mr. C.'s ex- 
penses at the hospital, as I said I would. It cost me $2.25. 
Found two women a good deal interested, in my calling to-day. 
One of them I think is secretly trying to be a Christian. I 
tried to have her come right out boldly and let it be known, 
but she is not quite ready yet. Think she will soon, though, 
for she cannot help it. The other is not out in the light 
yet. Prayed with them and did the best I could with them. 
Had about ninety women and girls out to-night. 

Tuesday, December 10. 
Went to see those two women again to-day, and they said 
they would both come to the meeting to-night, and if there 
was a chance given, they would say they were trying to be 
Christians. So they both came, and I had it all understood 
with Mr. S. to have an after-meeting and to give them a 
chance and they did. There were three others that said they 
wanted to be Christians, so we prayed for them and with 
them all, and talked with the three new ones, and tried to 
lead them into the light. This is the first of anything of the 
kind that we have had at the meetings. Made twenty-one 
calls to-day. Dr. Todd attended the funeral. 

Saturday, December 14. 
* * Made three calls after the Kitchen 

Garden and then came home to dinner. Went back to the 
Band of Hope about two o'clock and had about two hundred 
there. Then at the Sewing School there were about seventy- 
five. The Penny Savings Bank was well patronized to-day. 
They are getting so they are not so afraid of losing their 
money now, since two or three have drawn some of theirs and 

4i 



find they can get it. There were about one hundred out to- 
night and we had a good meeting, also a good after-meeting. 
There were seven that testified to-night and five more who 
wanted to be prayed for. After the meeting we stayed and 
talked with those who are trying to live different lives, and 
encouraged them all we could. Came home about half-past ten. 

Sunday, December 15. 

Went to church and Sunday school to-day, and then as 
soon as I had my dinner, started for the mission, for wanted 
to see how many I could get out to hear Mr. Moody to night, 
for although he had not said sure he could come, I felt sure 
he would. Told everybody on the way that I could, and then 
after Sunday school spent the rest of the afternoon in going 
around and trying to get them out. There were about four 
hundred and fifty out, and Mr. H., Mr. T., Mr. S., and Mr. P. 
were present to speak, so taking the singing and the speaking, 
the time was all taken up nicely till twenty minutes of ten, 
and nearly the whole crowd stayed in so to be there when 
Mr. Moody came. He spoke to the whole crowd for about 
half an hour and then dismissed the meeting, saying there 
would be an after-meeting for all who would like to stay. About 
one hundred and fifty stayed and about twenty new ones ex- 
pressed a desire to become Christians. He then asked all the 
Christians in the room to go around and talk with those who 
were not Christians, and he went around and talked a little 
with every one who raised their hands. Oh, it did seem so 
nice to have such a grand meeting! It has been a long while 
to wait, but the Lord is certainly blessing us greatly just now. 
We stayed till midnight with some of them. I got home just 
quarter past twelve. 

Monday, December 16. 

Started real early this morning and went to one place 
where a man and his wife both raised their hands for prayer 
last night. As soon as I saw their faces, knew it was all 
right with them. Said they were just saying they had heard 
of family prayers and wondered just what it was, and wanted 
to know if I would tell them, so I did and we had them right 

42 



there. Then I told them how nice it would be for them 
every morning and night, and they said they would. Went 
to another place and they were all happy, too, the mother, 
daughter and two sons. The father is in a saloon, so they 
are all praying for him and wanted me to also. I told them 
about the place where I had just been, and about their having 
family prayers, and asked them if they did not want to do the 
same, and they said they did, but that they did not know how, 
so I told them how, and they said, " Can't we have them now, 
so you can help us start ?" So we did, and then I went on to the 
next place. Have called on all who are interested, to-day, 
except two men, who have no home here, and wno would be 
off at work, so it would do no good to call. Sent them each 
a little note telling them I thought of them, and prayed that 
they might be kept from yielding to temptation. Then gave 
them some references to look up and read in the testaments 
I gave them. Oh, it is such a glorious work telling poor lost 
men of Christ, and helping them live better lives. Girls 
meeting to-night and we had a nice little talk by one of the 
ladies. Had told her some of the girls were interested, and 
guess she told her story to suit the occasion. Came home 
about ten. 

Tuesday, December 17. 
'Went to see others to-day who are not at all interested as 
yet, and made sixteen calls. There were different things to 
do in each place to helr>the poor tired women, and one woman 
whom I have helped a good many times, said, "What makes you 
so good to me ?" I said : " Because I love you." Then that 
gave me a chance to tell her how Jesus loved her, and tears 
came to her eyes. There are so many chances in the course 
of the day to speak a word for the Master. When we first 
began it was very hard to do it, but now there are many 
places where they are glad to hear of Jesus. Got into a new 
place to-day and did want to speak a word there, but it did 
not seem to be best. Asked her to let her children come to 
Sunday school, and she said she would see, so shall go for them 
next Sunday. Had a good full meeting to-night, and a good 
after-meeting. About twelve spoke and three new ones said 
they wanted to be Christians. * * * * Came home 
about half-past ten. 

43 



1890. 

Thursday, March 6. 
Went and washed my two babies and took care of the 
mothers, and made eight other calls this morning. I helped 
one woman to cut an apron and another to fix some sleeves. 
I showed another one how to make a loaf of plain cake. This 
afternoon I called on some families who have just begun to 
come to the mission. They are none of them Christians. At 
one place one of the women asked me some questions about 
what I told them last Friday afternoon, and it showed me she 
was interested. Another said, " You show that you are a 
Christian by the way you love us and do for us." That gave 
me a chance to tell her how much more Jesus had done for 
her. Then I said, " Now don't you think it would be real 
mean if you should turn right against me and not like me 
when I have been good to you ?" " Yes," she said, " I 
wouldn't do such a thing ; it would be dreadful mean." Then, 
of course, I had a point on not loving Jesus when He had 
done so much for us. " Well, we can see you," said she. 
" But, suppose you should write to your mother who is away 
off and tell her how kind I had been to you, don't you think 
she would believe it, even if she could not see me ?" " Yes, 
she does believe it now and says she wishes she could see 
you." Then I had another point. I got her to kneel down 
with me and I asked God to open her eyes that she might 
see Jesus. She said she did want to be a good woman, and I 
fully believe she will be a Christian soon. We had a good meet- 
ing to-night. It is so nice to live near and save the long walk. 

Monday, March 17. 
As I was going by Mrs. B.'s this morning, one of the chil- 
dren came running out and said her mamma wanted to see 
me. She told me of a poor young woman "who would not live 
long. She said she was not a Christian and she wondered if 
I could go in and say anything to her. She would not hear 
a word about dying and would not let me in if she knew who 
I was, but if she did not know perhaps I could make up some 
errand. I said, " Yes, I'll make an errand to go in." So I 
went down the street and bought some oranges and went right 

44 



to the house. I told her I had heard of her through Mrs. B., 
and brought her some oranges, hoping they would taste good. 
She was pleased and thanked me. After a while, 1 asked her 
if she liked to hear anyone read to her and she said, " Yes, 
but I do not get a chance to hear anyone very often." 
Then I asked her how many children she had, and she said, 
"Two." She called to them and they came in. I had to love 
them, as I always do little children, and I said, " They have 
better care than a great many oi my little ones." Then she 
asked where I was that I had so many, and I said, " At Wel- 
come Hall, down here." She threw up her hands and scream- 
ed, " Go away, go away ; don't you tell me I have got to die.'' 
" No," I said, " I have not come for any such purpose, don't 
you worry one bit. I don't see why people speak about 
dying as they do, for it is only going home to Jesus, and a 
nice home it is too, that he has prepared for us." "What's 
that," she said, " Say it again, quick." So I said, " It is only 
going home to live with Jesus forever, and also with dear ones 
who have gone before." " Why," she said, " Nobody ever 
told me that way before." Then I said, " Have you not 
heard how Jesus came and died for us all, so that we should 
not die, but live forever with Him ? " She had never heard 
the story of Jesus and His love as it really is. She knew 
there was a God, but that was all. I never shall forget what 
a look of joy came into her face when I told her so she under- 
stood. I prayed for her and promised to come and see her 
real often. She clung to me so it was very hard to get away 
from her. I have been in three times to day as it is right on 
my way and I run in as I go by. 

Tuesday, March 18. 
Started early and went to see Mrs. C. again, " Oh," she 
said, " What a change this is from what I was yesterday 
morning at this time. What if you had not come !" and 
she burst into tears. Well, we both cried, but it was for joy. 
It is wonderful to see what a change Christ makes in one's 
life. I am so thankful God sent me to her just as He did, 
and helped me so wonderfully in leading her into the light. 
Oh, to live nearer to Him, so he will use me more ! He gives 

45 



me little tastes once in a while just to keep me from getting 
discouraged when everything seems so hopeless. I know it 
is wrong to get discouraged, but I do sometimes before I 
hardly know it. Then some of these bright things come and 
take it away pretty quick. She wanted to know if I would 
do my best to keep an eye on the children, and I promised I 
would do everything I could for them. She says there is a 
grandmother in New Jersey who she thinks will take them. 
She wanted me to write her of her condition. Her father and 
mother were displeased because she married this man and her 
father had said he would never let her into his house again. 
I wrote a letter that I think will touch the hearts of that father 
and mother. I got a woman to go and stay with her for 
a few days. She loves to have me read and pray with her. I 
ran in a minute on my way up to-night and she was very com- 
fortable, except that her back was aching. I rubbed it awhile 
and she dropped off to sleep. 

Friday, March 21. 
I went as usual to see Mrs. C. this morning. While I was 
praying with her, I heard some one come in and stop. I 
closed sooner than 1 otherwise should, and the next instant 
she was in her mother's arms, and her father was standing by 
waiting his turn. As soon as possible she told them who I 
was. They seem very nice and I am so glad they have come, 
and that everything will be all right with them. * * * 

Saturday, June 7. 
Pleasant. I started out early this morning to see all the 
children who have not brought their plants to the hall for 
to-morrow, so be sure they would get them there. Have 
about one hundred and fifty now and there are some so large 
that the children cannot bring them, so shall not try to get 
every one out. Seven of them are in Fair Haven. The 
children who had them moved over there. Out of the one 
hundred and eighty given out last year, children's day, there 
are one hundred and seventy in good order now. Think they 
have done nicely with them. Had the Band of Hope this 
afternoon and had one hundred and sixty children present. 

46 



After the children had gone, some of the ladies from the 
church came down and helped arrange the plants for to- 
morrow. It was a good deal of a job to label all of them as 
the children brought them, but I wanted to be sure each child 
had its own plant back again. A very good meeting to-night. 
Stayed to write up the account of the meetings for the day 
and to do other things that needed to be done, and did not 
get home till about eleven. 

Sunday, June 8. 
Pleasant. Went to church and Sunday school at the church 
and then started for the Sunday school in Oak street. Had a 
large school to-day, for they knew about the plants. A very 
large Sunday school to-night also, but every child's plant was 
labeled so those who were not Sunday school scholars did not 
receive a plant. They were a good deal surprised, some cried 
and said they were coming every Sunday now, etc., but I told 
those who were really coming every Sunday that I would 
keep a list of their names and if they really did come, I would 
see that they had a plant. One child felt so very badly and 
would not be comforted, that I went home with her, for she 
said her mother would whip her for coming home without a 
plant. I knew the child and that all she came for was a 
plant, and knew it was not fair to give her one, when there were 
fifty hanging around in the same way, so took her and went 
home with her. Found the mother waiting for her, and it 
seemed the child had told her mother that all who went to the 
hall to night were to get a plant, so that was why she was 
afraid to go home. Well, her mother was as disappointed as 
she was and began to cry and say she really thought they 
were going to have a plant. "Now," I said "Your children are 
not in Sunday school anywhere, but are running the streets 
all day Sunday. Why is it that you are not willing they 
should go to the mission ?" " They do go sometimes," said 
she. "Never," said I, "Only at Christmas time or at sometime 
when they expect to get something. You have nine children, 
so you might have had nine plants, but as it is, it would not 
be right to give your children plants and not give them to 
the other children who do not come Sunday school. Now, if 

47 



you are willing that they should come to Sunday school and 
will let them come, after I see that they mean business and 
are really coming, I'll give them each a plant." That made 
her feel better and she said they might come. Had all the 
younger children go home first with their plants, so as to be 
sure they did not get them broken. Gave out two hundred 
and ten plants to-day, and told them to see how many could 
care for them this year and bring them next year to trim up 
with. Had them leave their old plants until to-morrow so to 
be sure nothing would happen to them on the way home. Told 
the story of Henry R.'s plant and they were all greatly in- 
terested. He was a little boy who died last fall, and when 
he was dying, he said, " Now I can't carry my plant to the 
mission next children's day, can I." " No," said I, " But I'll 
carry it for you." " Oh, will you ?■" said he. So I promised 
him I would carry it and tell the children it was his. He be- 
came a Christian and so did his mother while they were sick, 
and both died happy. Mr. Smith told the story to the chil- 
dren, and as they' all knew Henry and liked him, they were 
touched by it. Stayed so long with that woman talking plants 
and Sunday school to her, that I did not get home 'till eleven 
o'clock. 

Thursday, July 22. 

Went over to State street to teach a woman a passage to 
recite at the mothers' meeting, Friday. Promised her last 
week that I would come and teach her one for this week. 
Taught her Matt, xi: 18 ; "Come unto me," etc. * * 
Went up to see L.'s mother, and she says L. — is doing well, 
says they like her very much at the place where she works, 
and that she has one evening off each week and comes home 
and spends it with her. That is so different from what she 
did a year ago. She would not stay in a place then more than 
two or three weeks, for she was such a hand to run the streets 
nights and stayed out all night even, and people would not 
keep her. There are eight of those large girls, sixteen or 
eighteen years old that were in my Sunday school class for 
about a year and a half, who were such street walkers that 
the police were watching them and were on the point of 
sending them to the Reform School when I first got them in. 

48 



They are now nice respectable girls, doing well in the places 
where they work. Four of the same set of girls were sent to 
the Reform School two years ago now, just after we opened 
the mission. Went to see Mrs. C. — to-day and let her have 
two dollars of her money to get another mattress for a bed. 
We reckoned up the things that she had bought with the 
money that she has given me to keep for her since last Sept- 
ember, and she has bought one full set for a chamber, a bed 
for another room and four chairs and a rocker, some dishes, 
($2.50 worth,) a new dress, a hat, some shoes, stockings, 
mittens and some cloth for various things, such as sheets, pil- 
low cases, etc. I now have left $3.60 of her money. Am 
trying to get as many of the women to save as possible. This 
woman was one that did "hot have even a bed in her house, 
and was drinking everything up she could possibly get hold 
of. She is now living an honest sober life. These things 
brighten me up. Whenever I am tempted to think all my 
hard work is good for nothing, some of these cases come up 
and I can go on again cheerfully. Wish everybody could 
know just how badly off some of these people were and see 
the change in them now. But it is impossible without being 
right with them as I have been. 

Friday, July 25. 
Pleasant. Went to see the sick woman first and did what 
I could for her, and then went to see the woman who was so 
much interested yesterday in the reading. She was a good 
deal more cheerful to-day and was so happy that the Lord sent 
me to her she said. I read to her some more and prayed with 
her again, and she promised to come to the meeting to-night. 
She came to the mothers' meeting this afternoon. Made 
eight other calls and then came home to dinner. Went right 
down to get ready for the meeting before the women came; 
got there and found eight waiting on the steps for me. The 
meeting is at two o'clock and they are always there at one, or 
a little after. There were thirty-two present. At the devo- 
tional service the women most all gave a passage. They kept 
coming up to me all through the meeting, and saying over the 
verse I had taught them, to see if they could do it. One 

49 



woman asked me to pray for her husband and she said she 
would pray for him, too. I really think she is trying to live 
a Christian life. It was the girls' meeting to-night and so 
there were only a few there, thirty-five. A man came in at 
the close of the meeting and wanted to know if I remembered 
him. I looked at him and had to own I did not. " Well, you 
ought to," said he. "Just a year ago last March you picked 
me up out of the gutter, and took me to the lodging house and 
paid my lodging, and the next day you came to the place 
early in the morning and took me down to the wood yard, and 
I sawed wood enough to pay you back, then I came in here to 
the meetings and told you about my wife and two children, 
and you urged me to give up drinking and go home to them 
and treat them all right and have a happy home, and I did it. I 
promised you I'd write to you, but the truth of it was that I 
could not write and was ashamed to own it to you." "Yes, 
I remember you now," said I, " but where are your wife and 
children now ?" " Oh they are here in New Haven now, up 

on W street, and we have got as nice a little home as you 

often see. Of course, we ain.t got anything nice, but then we 
are comfortable." Then he wanted me to come right up and 
see them, said he had told them all about me and they would 
be glad to see me. So I promised to go up to-morrow and 
see them. Have often wondered what had become of him, 
but never really expected to see or hear of him again. Have 
kept his name in with others, that I have in a little book, of 
those that I have tried in particular to help. Such a case 
gives me hope for even the worst of these people. Shall go 
up in the morning to see the family. Stayed and talked with 
him a good while. He says he has never drank a drop since 
that night. Came home about eleven. 

Saturday, July 26. 

Went to see several sick ones then started for W street. 

Found the number of the house as he gave it to me, and his 
wife seemed to know in an instant who I was. Said her hus- 
band told her he thought I would come this morning, but that 
she did not hardly think I would trouble to, as she knew I 
must be very busy. Had a very pleasant call. She told me 

5° 



how wretched she had been, and how her husband had always 
done ever since they were married until last spring, a year ago. 
Said she had not seen or heard from him for about six months 
when he came home to her at that time. She was not going 
to believe him at first, for he had fooled her so many times, 
but he seemed so in earnest this time that she thought she 
ought to try him again, so she did, and she said from that time 
to this he had done just the best he could and they had had a 
nice pleasant home. Oh it was so sad to hear her tell how 
he used to treat her and the children; but then it was so nice 
on the other hand to hear her tell of the difference now. It 
made me feel that I would never doubt any one again, but 
that I would do all in my power for them, no matter how low 
down they are. They said they were going to church now 
all of them, and as they are so far from the mission, they will 
not probably come down to that only once in a while. Made 
eight other calls to-day and had the Band of Hope, Sewing 
School, Penny Savings Bank, and the evening meeting to- 
night. All went off well. Am going home on a vacation 
to-morrow. Don't want to go off and leave the people and 
the mission, but know I need the rest. 

Thursday, August 28. 
Came back to New Haven to-night to get things in shape 
a little before Sunday. ' Have written to fifty-eight of the 
mission people since I have been away. They wanted me to 
write to them, and I promised to answer every one who would 
write to me, and the result was that fifty-eight of them wrote 
to me. They knew I was coming back to-day, so twenty-five 
children were at the depot to come up with me. It was very 
nice to have them so glad to see me. There was no meeting 
to-night, so came right up home, and did not go out anywhere 
but to see one woman who was sick when I went away, and 
whom I promised to go and see just as soon as I got back. 
Went to see her and then came in for the night. 

Sunday, August 31. 
Went to church this morning and to Sunday school and 
then right after dinner started for the mission Sunday school. 

51 



They have been running loose for some time, so a good many 
of them had gone to the green and some in swimming, and 
did not get them all. Went into three places and helped 
wash and dress the children so they could go. That is a 
thing that they did not use to do. They never thought of 
such a thing as washing themselves up to go to the mission. 
In one place where the dirtiest children that we had, lived 
when we first began to work here, a little girl, ten years old, 
had to-day given five children younger than herself, a bath, 
and taken one herself. They all looked as nice and clean as 
could be. This oldest girl was, without any exception, the 
dirtiest child we had when we first began, and Oh, how she 
would swear. Now she is very nice always and very quiet, and 
clean. She has not been absent from Sunday school this 
year yet, and has only been absent once, in a year and a half. 
Not many teachers present at Sunday school, so it was rather 
hard getting along to-day. After Sunday school went to see 
three old ladies who live in the same house together, and who 
are not able to get out to the mission, and read to them awhile, 
and prayed with them and then talked awhile, they were so 
glad I had got back. Have been over and read to them and 
prayed with them certainly once every week, and twice when 
I could, for more than a year, so it seemed a good while to 
them that I was gone. Went to the meeting to night and we 
had a good one, also a good after-meeting. 

Wednesday, November 26. 
Went to the hall early, for the provisions for Thanksgiving 
were to come this morning. They came about seven, so I 

could go right to work fixing the baskets. Mrs. C had 

been around all the morning gathering pies so I could put a 
pie in every basket. To begin with, every basket had to be 
marked. Then I would take one and fill it according to 
the family. Where there were nine children of course I put a 
good deal more in it than where there were only three or lour. 
But when I got them all done and the papers over them they 
all looked alike; but the name on the handle told whose it was. 
* * * * The regular attendants at the mothers' 
meetings had been invited to the hall at two o'clock to a meet- 

52 



ing. The regular meeting is on Friday, so I told them as 
this was not a regular meeting, not to bring any of their 
friends. They came with their thimbles ready to sew, but not 
seeing the tables arranged as usual for work they were sur- 
prised enough, and stopped, not knowing what to do. I told 
them we were not going to sew to-day, but were to have a 
little talk together. So they had a pleasant time talking and 
singing, and I read to them a thanksgiving story, and Dr. 
Phillips talked to them a little while and they all enjoyed 
hearing him very much. As he finished they all sang again, 
and then I told them of the Thanksgiving meeting we were to 
have to-morrow night, and asked them all to come, and then 
gave out the baskets. They were all very much pleased and 
said a good deal. Oh it is so blessed to be able to make these 
poor people happy, and make them think some one cares for 
them! Then it gives many a chance to speak a word to them 
of how Jesus cares for them. I carried baskets to several 
places where I knew they would not have anything unless it 
was a dry crust of bread. Went out this evening and we had 
quite a large meeting. Came home about ten. 

Thursday, November, 27. 
I went out this morning about quarter of seven to see if 
one family for whom I had saved a basket had got anything. 
Did not take the basket, but went first to see what they had 
got. I knocked, and no one answered, so after knocking 
again, tried the door and finding it unlocked, went in. The 
door from the kitchen was open into a little dark bedroom, 
where there was no window, and where there were two 
lodgers sleeping. Knowing where the pantry was, I opened 
the door and looked in, and there were some potatoes, turnips, 
chicken, etc., about the same as I should have brought them, 
so saw the Lord had used some one else to help them and left 
as quietly as possible, they being none the wiser. Went into 
five other places before the people were up, and in three of 
them the children were up, so had a little time with them and 
talked about what they were going to have good to-day, etc., so 
in this way found out the ones who were wholly without any- 
thing good to-day. Then went home to my breakfast and 

53 



right out again to attend to the destitute ones. At one place, 
found the mother and children all crying, and went to work 
to see what the trouble was. It seemed the poor woman had 
saved fifty cents intending to get a chicken to-day, but when 
she went to get it, it was gone, and the husband had gone 
also. One ol the children had been out and hunted him up, 
and he was in a saloon spending that money. Well, for one 
minute I could have — well I don't know what I couldn't have 
done with that fellow if I had got hold of him. But in an in- 
stant was calm again, for had prayed for strength and wisdom. 
" Now," I said, " You shall have the chicken, so don't cry 
any more about that, but dry up the tears, for I want you all 
to help me." " I don't care anything about the chicken, only 
for the children's sake," said the poor wife, " but he will 
come home so drunk, and then we shall have to fight with him 
all day. Wish the children and I could all die out of the 
way." " Oh no," said I, "you must do all you can to help 
make him a better man." "A better man !" said she, "he 
has drank for twenty years every cent of my money he could 
lay his fingers on, it would take a good deal to make him stop; 
he will never stop as long as he can breathe and get it, he 
says he shant." " Well," said I, " Will you do exactly as I 
ask you to, just for to-day ?" "Yes, we will," said the mother, 
"but there is no use in your getting a chicken, for as soon as 
you are out of the way, he will take it away from us and go 
out and sell it before we can get it into the kettle." " Well, 
we will see," said I. " Now you clean up your faces so he 
wont know you have been crying, and get cleaned up around 
here as well as you can before I get back." " Oh don't go 
after him, for he will kill us sure for telling you." "Don't you 
fear," said I. " I'll not get you in any trouble, and don't you 
mention such a thing that he has been in the saloon this 
morning." I then left. Going along I thought what I would 

do, so going into the saloon, I said, " Mr. will you 

please come to the door a minute, I want to ask a favor of 
you?" He immediately came, and as I got him outside, I said, 
"Can you lend me fifty cents till to-morrow?" "Well, no, 
I can't," said he, " but I'll lend you a quarter." " All right," 
said I, " that will do." All this time I was getting him along 

54 



towards home, without his hardly knowing what I was doing. 
I had got his money anyway, so he could not spend any more. 
" Now," I said, " what makes you go back into that saloon? 
Why not stay right at home with your wife and dear children? 
It will seem so nice to stay with them and it will make them 
all so happy." " I can't stay at home," he said, " for there will 
be a fine row when my wife finds out what I have done." 
" Why, what have you done ? " said I. " I'll tell you," said 
he. " You can help me out of this if you will, and if you will, 
I'll promise you I'll stay in all day with them." " Well, how 
is it," said I, "I'd like to know how you mean before I prom- 
ise." " Well, you have borrowed some money of me, haven't 
you ? well you need not tell her how much, and I wont, and 
just as soon as I can earn the rest of it, I'll give it to you and 
you give her the fifty cents that I took out of her pocketbook, 
this morning." " Yes, I'll help you out said I, if you wili keep 
your promise which you made, that you will stay in all day 
with them and not go near the saloon." "I'll do it," said he. 
By this time we were up the stairs to his tenement. " I've 
borrowed some money of your husband, said I, and I un- 
derstand it was your money. What were you going to get with 
it, anything for to-day ? " " Yes, I was going to get a chicken," 
said the wife, a little surprised I could see. " Well I'll get 
you the chicken, said I, so you will have that." I went out 
and came back soon with a basket of things which I had been 
looking around to^see where was the best place to use them. 
" Now," I said, " let me help you get these things on the 
stove cooking, so you can have your dinner in season." So 
before I left the house, the chicken was in boiling, and the 
turnips and potatoes pared and the rice pudding in the oven, 
and the pie cut, so there was nothing that was in good 
shape to sell. Did not know how strongly his appetite might 
come to him after I was nicely out of the way. Left that 
family feeling differently from what they did when I went in. 
Went into about twenty more places and did different things 
in each place. In several, all I had to do was to tell them how 
to make a rice pudding. In some, they did not understand 
how to fix the chicken. So after doing all I could to help 
them, went home and cleaned up and got ready to go to 

55 



dinner. * * * * It has been a very pleasant day 
to me and one I shall never forget. Came home about ten. 

Friday, November 28. 
Pleasant in the morning. Went around calling all the 
forenoon. At four of the places where I called the wom- 
en wanted me to teach them a passage, so when I wanted 
them to recite one again, they would know one. A great 
many of them cannot read a word of English. Many of them 
have never heard the story of the creation, so am reading that 
to them for the Bible reading, Friday afternoon. Came home 
to dinner and then went right out calling again. Went to 
see a woman who came into the hall the other night and who 
has just come to New Haven to live. Had a real nice talk 
with her, she seemed to trust me so fully, asked me about 
our meetings, and the story of Jesus was all new to her. I 
told her how He died for us and she cried, it touched her so. 
I had a little Testament in my pocket and took it out and read 
to her a little, and gave it to her, as she could read English a 
very little. I prayed with her and she urged me to come to 
see her again. Shall try and go in a few days. It was a good 
deal for her to take in, but she seemed to trust me so fully that 
I am in hopes the Lord will use me in bringing her into the 
light. Made nine other calls and they were all nice and pleas- 
ant. Had the meeting for the girls to-night, and they all 
came by quarter past seven and some at seven, to have time 
to study some verses before the meeting began. There is 
one thing about it, these girls have got a good deal of Bible 
into their heads that will always stay. A very pleasant even- 
ing. Came home about nine. One little girl asked me to- 
night if I would pray for her father. 

Saturday, November 29. 
Started out early this morning to go with some children 
who must be vaccinated so they can go to school. Their 
mother was sick, so could not go with them and they were 
afraid to go alone. Went with them about half-past seven, 
and then went to sixteen places to see if the children were 
surely coming to the kitchen garden. They have not been 

56 



very regular, and have made up my mind that they are going 
to come better than they have, if it is a possible thing, and 
think by going for them a few Saturdays can get them to 
come all right. Had twenty-one out, so that was a little bet- 
ter. At two o'clock had the Band of Hope, and then at quar- 
ter of three the sewing school, fifty-two being present. There 
were several new depositors in the bank to-day and a good 
many older ones. Have one hundred and twenty-seven 
depositors now. After they were all gone went and made six 
calls where there were sick ones. Went in to see the people 
who were in such trouble Thanksgiving morning, and the 
father is at work and he has not touched a drop yet. Gave 
me the quarter this noon so I could leave it to-night with 
his wife, and as I went in she said, " He has told me all about 
it, so I know what you did the other day ; he says he don't 
know how we can ever pay you for what you have done for 
us, and I don't either." "I'll tell you," said I, " go right on do- 
ing right and live good honest lives, and I will feel doubly paid. 
Take Jesus to help you, for you can never do it alone." Had 

about one hundred out to the meeting to-night and Mr. F 

brought down two ladies who could sing and play, so it was a 
great help. About fifty stayed to the games. Came home 
about half-past ten. 

Monday, December i. 
* * Went up to see that woman again to 
whom I gave the testament, and she thinks it is just grand if 
she can believe all I told her, and she wants me to see her 
husband and tell him, too. Says she don't understand it well 
enough to tell him. Says she has told him all about me and 
how kind I have been, etc., so she thinks he will listen to me 
and let me tell him the story I told her. I shall try and see 
him as soon as I can. The Lord is certainly blessing the work 
of the mission greatly, although a good deal of it is not done 
so that 'every one can see it. I think it will all be plainly 
seen some day. Made seventeen calls this afternoon. The 
girls Friendly Society was held to-night and about fifty girls 
were present. Think it is going to be the means of reaching 
a good many girls who could not be reached in other ways. 

57 



The girls enjoy doing the work very much and are very quiet 
and ladylike all through the evening. 

Wednesday, December 3. 
Very stormy. * * * * Going near one place 
where I did not think of calling to-day I could not seem to 
get by, so went up into the house and there were seven little 
children all huddled together trying to keep warm, and the 
three youngest crying. " Well, children, you look cold," said 
I, " where is your mother ?" " She has gone to do a washing 
and then she is going to get a pail of coal and something to 
eat." Well, I went out and bought a little coal, some meat 
and a five-cent loaf of bread, and then went in and made a 
fire and cooked the meat and gave those children something 
to eat. They ate as if they had not had anything for a week 
and never expeeted to eat anything more. They were bare 
footed, so I hunted around and with their help found some old 
stockings and some old shoes, and they were old, too, and so 
got their poor, little, cold feet covered a little. When I came 
away, I left them all as happy as they could be. Left a good 
fire so that they will certainly be warm all this cold, stormy 
day. Told them the story of Jesus and they listened very 
closely; as I got through, one of the little things asked me if 
I came from Jesus, and I told him Jesus sent me. Shall go 
up again to-morrow and see how they are. They have not 
been to Sunday school yet, shall try and get them into it now 
and don't think I shall have much trouble to do it. Went 
into eight other places before noon, but found no more as 
badly off. Kept thinking of that woman to whom I gave the 
Testament and who was so interested, so went up to see how 
she was getting along, and the first thing she said as she threw 
her arms around my neck, was, " Your Jesus is my Jesus too, 
Oh, come in and tell my husband about it too." So to be 
sure, I went in, and her husband came to me and said, " You 
has made my wife crazy about this Jesus man." I said, "Oh, 
no, she is not crazy, but she is happy, and she wants you to 
be happy too." So then I told him the story as simply as 
possible, and he said, " If it is true, why has not anybody 
told me before ? " I told him he had probably never been 

58 



where they had a chance to. I asked him if he ever went to 
any religious meeting, and he said "No." And his wife said 
she never had until she came to the hall that night, and she 
said, " You was kind to me and loved my little baby, so I 
knew you would not tell me anything wrong." He did not 
say he would accept of Jesus as his Saviour, but of course he 
will for he cannot help it. Went to see one of my women 
who was sick, and found she had been neglected all day, so 
cleaned her all up and combed her hair and made her bed, 
got her something to eat, etc., and she seemed like a new 
woman when I came away. Made four other calls and then 
came home and got dried up. ready for the evening meeting. 
It has stormed hard all day. Went to meeting to-night and 
there were about one hundred and twenty out, and we had a 
good meeting. It was the night for the boys to stay and we 
had about fifty to the games. 

Thursday, December 25. 
* * * Have been around to a good many places to- 
day wishing thern a " Merry Christmas." At one place there 
was a little candy store, and as I stepped in and said, " Merry 
Christmas," the man of the house looked out from the kitchen 
and shouted, " We are having our " Merry Christmas here, 
come out and get some." I stepped into the kitchen and 
there sat nine men around a table drinking beer and playing 
cards and smoking. I spoke to them, and the man took me 
up to a large pan of what looked liked doughnuts, he placed 
a chair for me, and giving me a large iron spoon told me to 
help myself. I told him I had a late breakfast and would take 
one with me instead of eating it. Then he said he had some- 
thing else that he wanted to treat me to, and was very per- 
sistent. I told him I did not like it. " Why, it is Christmas," 
said he, "Just take a little to celebrate." Just then his little 
boy stepped up and pulled his father's coat and said, " She 
don't want any of that stuff." (He was one of the Band of 
Hope boys.) " Now if you would let that stuff alone and not 
touch it to-day, you would be happier to-night and all feel 
better," said I. One of the men at the table heard me and 
got up and came to me. " What is that you said about being 

59 



happier ? " said he. I repeated what I had said. " What 
would you have a fellow do ? " said another. " It's a mighty 
long day to sit around and do nothing all day." '.' Can you 
play dominoes ? " said I. "Yes, but we haint. got any, so 
what good does that do us ? " said he. " Can you play check- 
ers"? said I. "Yes, but we aint got them either," said he. 
" Well, now," said I, " If you will put away that beer and 
those cards, and promise me that you will not touch another 
drop of anything to drink to-day, I'll go to the hall and bring 
you down some games, and lend them to you for to-day." 
" Here goes my bottle," said one fellow going to the door 
and throwing it out. " And here is mine," said another, 
doing the same. The rest put theirs away, and I went to the 
hall and got the games and showed them how to play them. 
Among the rest was Tiddledywinks, and that was new and 
pleased them greatly. * * * At noon, I went and 
made them some strong coffee and carried them a pie, and in 
the afternoon, one of the ladies to whom I had been speaking 
of my nine men sent them some oranges. * * * 
Well, I have put six drunken men and one woman to bed to- 
day, and made them stay there. The men I fixed with games 
this morning have stayed sober all day. " Now didn't I tell 
you the truth?" said I. "Are you not happier than you 
would have been if you had drank that beer all day and played 
with those dirty cards ? " " Yes, we are," said they, all 
together, and they shook hands with me and thanked me. 
Then I asked them to come up to the hall and spend their 
evenings, and they said they would. 



1891. 

Friday, January 23. 
There have been several new women at the mothers' meet- 
ing lately, and I have tried to see them all this morning. At 
one place they are as badly off as any of the places were 
when we first commenced here. There is not a bed or a 
chair in the house. There are two old boxes which they sit 
down on. There are five children, and Oh, it is so dirty ! 
The woman had a headache and I said I was sorry, for she 

60 



had not been able to do up her work. She looked surprised, 
but I did not seem to take at all, and kept on talking, and 
said I would kelp her. So I asked for a broom but she did 
not have one, so I went and bought a ten cent broom and told 
her I would make her a Christmas present of it. That made her 
laugh, and when I began to sweep, she said, " Don't dirty it, 
keep it clean." " No," I said, " I got it to sweep with and 
I'll sweep up for you so that you can go to the mothers' meet- 
ing." I wanted to do it to show her how nice her home could 
look. There was a decided change in the looks of that 
room. I wet her broom, so the dust would not rise, I told 
her, but mainly to get the broom so she would not take it 
back to the store and exchange it for something else, and 
after I had swept it all nicely, I took an old rag and dusted. 
Then I began to smoothe her head for her, and took a wet 
cloth to cool it, so it was easy to get off some dirt at the same 
time. I told her if she had a comb and brush I would fix her 
hair a little, and that would make her head feel better. She 
had neither, and I went and got a five cent comb and combed 
her hair out a little. Then I told her to comb it the first 
thing every morning and wash her face and it would be 
good for her headache. At the next place everything was 
about as bad, but the woman did not have the headache, and 
I could not do the same there. It would not do to go at them 
and tell them they do not do things right, but by getting 
some excuse, for doing work for them, they quickly catch on 
and do it for themselves and think the world of whoever was the 
means of showing them. I knew this woman would go over 
to see the other one as soon as I was gone and would see 
what I had done, and it would have its influence on her also. 

Wednesday, April 15. 
Went to see sick children all day. Out of the twenty-eight 
cases that I visited, there was but one that had a bed in the 
house three years ago, and if the children had been sick then 
they would have been lying on the floor. Now they are all 
in beds and looked very comfortable for them. * * * 
A woman met me as I came out of meeting and asked me to 
come over and see if I could make her husband go to bed. I 

61 



have done it before when he was drunk, so I went in and 
said, " Your wife tells me you are not feeling well to-night, 
what seems to be the trouble ? " " My head is all in a whirl," 
said he. "I'm sorry, but if you'll go to bed I'll promise to stop 
that whirl," said I. " All right, I'll be much obliged," said 
he. So after he had knocked over a table and we had saved 
the lamp from destruction, he got to bed with our help, and I 
wet a cloth and put on his head to make him think I had 
really done something for him. He dropped off to sleep, but if 
we had not got him to bed, he would have kept the rest up all 
night. 

Thursday, August 21. 

* * I hurried around to help some of the women go 
on the excursion to-morrow. Mrs. C. thought she could not 
possibly go and take the children, but after an hour's ironing, 
mending, etc., I had helped her so all the seven children could 
go. Then I went and helped Mrs. M., who has eight children. 

Friday, August 22. 

Started early to see if there was any one to help get ready 
and to see if my fruit and provisions had gone all right. * * 
At last I had about three hundred men, women and children 
on board the boat. It was pretty windy and the water was 
^ery rough, and in a short time a good many of the people 
were sick, but they were very quiet all the while even though 
they were frightened. One woman was wringing her hands, 
etc., when I heard one of the other women say, " Now — don't 
be — afraid , — for we — are — all — righ t, — for— Mi — M iss — Miss 
— Remington — is — here." 

I was so busy with those that were sick that I did not 
notice that we had turned back until the captain came to me 
and said, " There is no use trying to go on ; I have turned 
back for New Haven." For one minute, it seemed as if I 
could not have it so, and then I thought it must be all right 
some way or the Lord would not have ordered it so. I asked 
the captain if the people might stay on board and let me have 
time to see what I could do. They were delighted to find 

62 



that I was still going to plan something for them to do. It 
took me about an hour to arrange for the two lines of horse 
cars to take them to Savin Rock, but Mr. Preston was very 
kind and helped me a good deal. I sent an express man to 
take the food from the boat to Savin Rock and he did not get 
there until three o'clock, so they were all pretty hungry. The 
food disappeared quickly, but they all had enough, and, after 
all the discouragements, the people had a pleasant day. I 
will own I was very tired, for it was a trying day. A great 
many of them have not been away from their dirty homes 
since I took them last year, and I know it did a great deal 
of good.* 

Monday, September 28. 
I have hardly stopped to eat or sleep for the past week, for 
everything has seemed to come in a heap. On Saturday I 
invited all of the mission committee and several others down 
to the Band of Hope and the children had a special programme 
of songs and poems written for the occasion, and brought the 
pennies they had given towards the new building as a sur- 
prise. There were #6.56 that they gave. I was glad to have 
them do it, for now they will feel that they have all helped 
towards building it.f 

Tuesday, October 13. 

a * * As I came back to-night, Mr. T 

met me with a quarter towards his ton of coal. There are one 
hundred and fifty-two families that have nearly money enough 
to buy themselves a ton of coal. They have been saving in 
little sums all the summer and fall. One man has just saved 
what he would have spent in drink every day and he has 
more than enough already. Another man brought me fifty 
cents for his coal as I left the hall. 

Tuesday, October 20. 
I thought I would go around to-day and make a few calls 
on some of the people I have induced to go to some church. 

♦During the week or two following this excursion. Miss Remington took parties of children, 
numbering from ten to fifty, either on day or half-day excursions, until the whole number who 
shared in the benefit of her fresh air effort was about six hundred, and her journal gives an 
entry of only $98.20 as the expense incurred. 

IThis amount was later increased to $10.00 by the children's gifts, and was used to pay for 
the name " Welcome Hall," that was placed over the front door, 

63 



At one place where the girl used to walk the streets nights, 
so much, she is doing nicely. She works, and stays at night 
in the house. She attends church and Sunday school regu- 
larly. I met one of the girls whom I had more trouble with 
than any other, I think, and she told me that she and her 
mother had a little store. I went and found her mother, and 
she said she had intended to come and see us and had not 
forgotten what she owed us there at the mission. It did me 
good to hear her talk, fori saw that she knew that we had 
helped her daughter a great deal. I wish that all could see 
the difference in those two homes. At one place a mother 
was cutting out some pants for her little boy out of some old 
ones that had been given her. Three years ago she could 
not make so much as an apron, to say nothing of really cutting 
and making pants. Her beds were made, her floor swept, 
her hair combed and she had a clean dress and apron on. 
The first time I saw her, three years ago, she was smoking a 
pipe, and four men were lying around a table, smoking and 
drinking beer. Her husband and brother were two of the 
men. Now they are both at work doing well. There are 
so many cases that were just as bad and worse that are now 
in good shape. It is perfectly wonderful, I think. But the 
Lord is able to do great things and He certainly has done it 
in a great many cases right here. 

Friday, December ii. 
Started early this morning and went to. twenty-three 
places this forenoon. After dinner went right back to the 
hall for mothers' meeting. There were seventy-one present. 
Had our devotional service at three o'clock. I have made 
this change so as to be sure they can all stay. One poor 
woman told me how hard it was for her to get along as her 
husband is sick and she has no friends to help her. I went 
home with her and saw that she had told me the truth, so I 
went out and bought her a few things. Spent sixty-five cents 
for her. I made seven other calls and then came up and ate 
a little supper and hurried back for the girls' meeting. Started 
for home and met a woman coming to see where her daughter 
was. I started along with her to find the girl. We hunted 

6 4 



for about an hour and then went back to the house to see if 
she had gone home and we found that she had not. As the 
mother was pretty tired I told her to stay in and I would go 
on looking. The truth was, she was so slow I knew I could 
do it quicker alone. After hunting awhile I met R. with 
another girl and asked her why she did not go home. " What 
is the use to go home ?" she said, " we can't do anything there 
and I am not doing any harm. We are only walking around." 
I persuaded her to go home and went with her. There were 
several men at a table with plenty of beer around and they 
were playing cards. " Well," I thought, " I wish some of the 
ladies could see what I have seen to-night, and it would make 
it easier for them to keep on working Monday nights just to 
help keep these girls from going to ruin." They have noth- 
ing as a rule in their homes to keep them there, but every 
thing to drive them away. I came home about half-past 
eleven. 

Friday, December 18. 
I went out and made twelve calls this forenoon and then 
hurried home and packed up all the things I could, to be ready 
to move to my rooms in the new building, for I had engaged 
a team to come after mothers' meeting this afternoon. Went 
down to the meeting and had a good number out. At about 
three o'clock I stopped as usual for our devotional service. A 
lady came in just then and as I was ready to have them sing, 
she came up to me and said she would like to say a few words 
this afternoon, and asked if I was willing. Of course I was 
delighted, so when they finished singing, I said Miss — — 
wanted to speak to them a few minutes, and I knew they 
would be glad to listen to her. I thought they all looked 

very much pleased and in an instant, I saw why. Miss 

said, " Miss Remington, it is you that I wish to speak to this 
afternoon and not the women," and then she presented me 
with a beautiful chair. I could not say much, but I knew it 
was a great deal for those women to save their money and do 
so much for me. I thought, I would never get tired of doing 
for them again, for it is worth everything to feel that they are 
my friends and they know I am theirs. I do love them all, 
I cannot help it, and I would not if I could. 

65 



1892. 

Monday, March 28. 

Mr. C. stayed here last night and this morning he wanted 
to know if there was anything he could do for us, so I let him 
fix the furnace and take up the ashes. It was very funny last 
night when I told him he could stay here, he was so afraid of 
making trouble. I showed him his room and after a time he 
appeared and asked for a pail. The clean sheets made him 
realize how dirty he was. I told him he could go down stairs 
and have a good bath. I gave him plenty of soap and towels 
and he worked about an hour scrubbing up. I have two rooms 
here in the new building, so if I have a man or woman I don't 
know what to do with for a day or so I can take them in and 
take care of them. Then it is so nice to have a bathroom for 
them. The man went away this morning determined to let 
drink alone for the day and to try and find work. Made nine 
calls this morning and then came home to dinner. Found a 
lady just going away. She came back and told me about her 
boy who drinks very badly and she wanted me to help her. 
I told her I could not, but the Lord could and we would ask 
Him to show us and use us in winning her son. She is not 
a Christian, but seemed willing to do anything to help her 
son. I told her the first thing was to give herself to Jesus 
and her son would be more likely to accept Him. Shall do 
all in my power to help them. ***** Had 
the meetings as usual to-night ; the Gospel meeting in the 
large hall, the Friendly Workers' Society in the girls' room, 
and the reading room was open for the young men. It is so 
nice to have all these things with the rooms for them. Oh, 
yes, there was a dressmaking class in the laundry, and once a 
month there is a cooking class. I often think of the time 
when Miss G. and I were plodding away with the girls over 
in the other room and were at our wits' end to know what to 
do with them. Now the young ladies attend to the work so 
it is not one bit of worry to me. Mr. C. staid here again to- 
night as he has not found work. There were about fifty men 
at the meeting to-night, and there are a good many of them 
trying to stop drinking. The fifteen who came forward for 

66 



prayers last night were all here to-night. One woman brought 
me three dollars and a half to keep for her rent. She comes 
every week and brings her money for me to keep for her so 
she will not be tempted to spend it for drink. 

Tuesday, March 29. 

* * * * When I came home for dinner I found 
a little girl waiting to see me to tell me of a man who was sick. 
I found the man quite sick and his wife quite drunk, so I had 
a time between the two. The man was very anxious for a 
doctor, so I came home and telephoned for one. I had just 
come in when the bell rang again and a child had come to 
say her mother wanted me to tell the people at the hospital 
that she could go there to-day, (she is to have an operation 
performed,) she also wanted me to get a cab for her. I just 
went up-stairs and telephoned to the hospital, also to the Cab 
Co., so that was all done very easily. No one knows what a 
help the telephone is to me. It saves a great many miles of 
walking in the course of a week. * * * * When 
a man was going home from his work to-night he stopped and 
told me how he had wanted a drink all day and asked me if I 
would pray for him so he would not yield to temptation. I 
asked him in and prayed with him, and then he said with 
God's help he would not yield and he promised to come in 
again in the morning. 

Wednesday, March 30. 

* * Gave twenty-eight girls and three little boys 
a bath after school to-day. It is such fun to see how they 
enjoy it. The worst of it is to put their dirty clothes back on 
them again. Wish some of the people who have never seen 
how their clothes are would attempt to dress one of them. We 
had a religious meeting in the main room this evening and 
the reading room open as usual. There were forty-five men 
in the reading room to-night. One of the women brought me 
the last ten cents towards her ton of coal. Another woman 
gave me a quarter to keep for her. She is keeping a little bank 
account, hoping to be able to get some things to fix up her 
home a little. There are over two hundred depositors in the 
bank now. 

67 



Saturday, April 2. 
* * * While at dinner a little girl came and 
said her mother wanted me to come and see Mrs. M. I went 
as soon as possible and she was just on the verge of delirium 
tremens. She wanted me to send for the doctor for her, so I 
sent for one of the medical students and he came. There 
were three others in there almost as badly off, but it is very 
different from what it was when there were twenty or twenty- 
five such creatures there all the time, men and women both. 
Any one who had never seen it so much worse would think it 
pretty bad now. The yard was full of children ready for the 
Band of Hope at one o'clock. There were about two hun- 
dred in to-day * * . * After the sewing school and 
after I had attended to the bank, I started out to collect money 
for some men who cannot draw their own pay. I have fifteen 
families now that I am looking out for and drawing their pay 
for them and helping them about using it. Three of the men 
would have lost their jobs if I had not promised to take care 
of their wages for them, and the rest want me to take care of 
theirs for them so they can pay up their debts, as I can make 
it go farther than they. There was one family where there 
was a man, his wife, and three children. The man has for a 
long time been genuinely trying to give up drink, but I went 
to see him once when he had just been having a spree. He 
said, " It don't make much difference what becomes of us 
anyway. We can never be anybody and have things like 
other folks." I said, " Yes you could if you would let the 
drink alone." He said, " I couldn't get out of debt then, on 
seven dollars a week, and owe as much as I do now, so I 
might as well drink and have some fun as I go along." " If 
you would let drink alone for three months you could get out 
of debt very easily," I said. " Why, Miss Remington," he 
said, " you know it couldn't be done." " If you will give me 
your wages, every cent of them, and work all the time for 
three months, I will support your family and pay every debt. 
If I don't, I'll pay them myself." " I will do it, but I think 
she will get sick of her bargain. Don't you ?" said he, turn- 
ing to his wife. She did not think it could be done, but I 
had made the offer and I made up my mind I would do it. 

68 



When the time was up I had every debt paid and five dollars 
in the bank for him. * * * 

Sunday, April 3. 

When I came home from church to-day one of the children 
met me and said her mother was worse, so I went home with 
her, and worked over the woman for a while. Oh, how dirty 
she is ! I am going to clean that woman up if I live until 
to-morrow. It is dreadful to go there and work in such filth. 
I gave the girls a bath the other day and they say they have 
felt funny ever since. There were eighty who had a bath 
here this last week. It is beginning already to make the peo- 
ple clean the children's clothes and it will do a great deal in 
that line soon. After dinner I started for my little ones. I 
had one hundred and twenty-eight to-day. I had to go home 
with some of the little ones who are too small to go alone. 
On my way I stopped to invite some to the meeting to-night 
whom I am anxious to have come. We had the children's 
meeting first, as usual, with about two hundred present. 
There were not as many at the meeting for older ones as last 
Sunday evening, only about one hundred and fifty. A very 
good meeting. At the after meeting there were eight new 
ones who asked us to pray for them, besides several who have 
done so before. After the after meeting they staid and talked 
for some time. 

April 29. 

Stormy in the morning, but cleared up towards night. Went 
up about six o'clock to see one of my men that is having a 
very hard struggle just now trying to leave off drinking. He 
was having that dreadful craving that drunkards have, and 
said that he must have a drink or die. I asked his wife if 
she had an egg, and as she did not have, came home and got 
one, also some milk and red pepper. I beat up an egg and 
put it in a glass of milk, and put quite a good deal of the red 
pepper into it and stirred it up together, then gave it to him 
to drink. It seemed to help him, so I told his wife whenever 
he had that teeling again to give him som^ more of it. I 
asked if he wanted me to pray with him, and he said he did : 
after praying, I asked him to pray for himself and he asked 
God to help him and to keep him for to-day. Went to see a 

69 



sick woman and found several things to do there. The first 
thing was to clean her up the best I could, which was quite a 
job. Then I fixed up a nice little breakfast for her, and used 
a clean handkerchief that I had with me for a napkin. She 
said it looked so good that she could not help eating it. After 
doing all in my power for her, I asked her if I should pray 
for her and she said, " Yes, do pray." Then went to the 
Orphan Asylum to see about a little girl that I wanted to get 
in there. Hurried back and went to the City Hall to get 
Mrs. B.'s money; then made six short calls and hurried in to 
get dinner. While at dinner there were four different ones 
came to tell me of their troubles, etc. Before we were through 
eating the bell rang, and upon looking out of the window, I 
saw eleven women standing there ready to get in for the 
mother's meeting. There were only sixty-eight present to- 
day. There are two or three new ones that I have to praise 
up a good deal yet about their basting, in order to get them 
to sew well. Twelve women gave me five cents each to keep 
for their coal next winter. As soon as the meeting was over 
went up to see how my man was getting along, and found he 
was all right and that the egg, pepper and milk had helped 
him. Prayed with him again, and then went off and made 
five calls before it was time for supper. While eating, three 
of the people came for advice, etc., and when I got through 
there were about thirty girls in the yard waiting to get in. 
There were sixty-four girls present, and besides repeating the 
Bible verses and chapters that they have learned, they learned 
seven new verses to-night. One of the young men came and 
asked if he could have a bath, so went down and made the 
necessary arrangements, and then left him to clean up. Came 
up stairs about half-past ten. 

April 30. 

Got up about five o'clock and did some work that was to 
be done here. As soon as we were through breakfast I went 
up to see Mr. -j — , and he is feeling a good deal better to-day. 
On my way back to the house I saw one of my men, and he 
said he was just going to the hall to see if I was there, for he 
wanted me to pray with him, that he might be kept from 

70 



yielding to temptation to-day, so took him into the hall and 
prayed with him and got him to pray for himself. Some one 
said to-day, " What makes you work so with those good-for- 
nothing creatures ?" I don't think they are good for nothing, 
or at least, they ought not to be, and with God's help they 
shal lnot be. Made six calls before it was time for the Kitchen 
Garden class. One of the girls told me her mother was sick, 
so while they were having their lesson, I went down to see 
her. Well, I should think she would be sick : she was so 
dirty. She has been lying there several days and no one has 
done anything for her. She felt better as soon as I got her 
cleaned up. She said she had sent for me three or four times, 
but it was when I was out. After the Kitchen Garden class 
had gone, went out and made four more calls and then came 
in for dinner. The yard was full of boys and girls ready for 
the Band of Hope at one o'clock. There were one hundred 
and ninety-eight present. Three of the boys and four of the 
girls said their mother wanted to see me this afternoon. After 
the Band of Hope is the sewing school, and it was not quite 
as large as it is sometimes. The Penny Savings Bank is well 
patronized just now, better than it has been all winter, by the 
boys and girls. Just as soon as the children had all gone I 
started for the money which I collect every week for the men. 
Stopped and called on three of the women that wanted to see 

me. Went to see how Mrs. was to-day and found her 

better. She said, " Oh can't you read a little to me and pray 
with me before you go ?" so I did. Had to stop at the Organ- 
ized Charities and see about a case ; then hurried back and 
went to see the rest of the women who wanted to see me. 
Came back here at six so to be here when the people came 
for their money. Helped Mr. and Mrs. M. plan for next week, 
then went out and bought supplies for another family to last 
over Sunday. By this time it was supper time. The W. C. 
T. U. had their meeting in the large room, and I had the usual 
meeting for the boys and girls in the smaller rooms. After 
the meeting the boys have the games and the baths. Twenty- 
'eight had a bath to-night. After they were all gone I arranged 
my room for my infant class to-morrow. Came up stairs 
about half-past eleven. 

71 



EXTRACTS 



FROM 



THE JOURNALS 




ISS gjp. |£. REMINGTON 



MISSIONARY OF THE 



WELCOME HALL MISSION, 



NEW HAVEN, CONN. 



PRICE SO CKNTS. 



Copyright i8q2 by Miss M. E. Remington, New Haven, Conn. 



